Motor Performance After Treatment for Pediatric Bone Tumors

Kesting SV, Götte M, Seidel CC, Rosenbaum D, Boos J

Abstract

BACKGROUND Reduced motor performance can negatively affect physical activity and social partake after childhood cancer. Especially in bone tumor patients, who are at risk of physical limitations due to surgical interventions, motor performance has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing motor performance in pediatric bone tumor patients. PROCEDURE Motor performance was measured within 2 years posttreatment using the MOON (test for MOtor performance in pediatric ONcology) test. This instrument enables quantitative data collection even in physically impaired patients for comparison with age-matched and sex-matched reference values. RESULTS Twenty-one patients (13 male) ages 15.2±2.1 years (median: 15 y, 10 to 19 y) and 9.4±7.4 months posttreatment (median: 6 mo, 2 to 24 mo) were tested. Motor performance was slightly reduced in muscular endurance of the legs; significantly reduced in speed, flexibility, eye-hand coordination, and muscular explosive strength (P<0.001), whereas patients' hand grip strength and static balance were superior to the reference values. Follow-up duration, body mass index, and tumor localization apparently affected motor performance. CONCLUSIONS These findings show serious reductions in motor performance within 2 years after bone tumor treatment and highlight the need for interventions to improve motor performance. The results should be used to advise and support patients to engage in suitable physical and sports activities.