The contribution of neurocognitive situation, physical capacity and daily life activities to quality of life in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors

ABSTRACT

Background/aim: There are no extensive studies on the QL in children who completed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment and currently living without any disease in Turkey. Our study aimed to analyze both the QL and the effects of physical, neurocognitive capacities on QL in childhood ALL survivors aged 7­12 years at the time of recruitment. Materials and methods: PedsQL cancer module 3.0 child and proxy report, for ages 5­7 and 8­12 years, WeeFIM scale, BOTMP Short Form, RPM, reading, writing, and mathematics assessment tools, sociodemographic information form were carried out to the children and their family. Results: There was no effect of the months since the completion of therapy on pain, anxiety, cognitive problems, perceived physical appearance, and the total QL scores of children and proxy reports (p > 0.05). Children's physical capacities were significantly worse than healthy controls and have not reached the level of healthy children even after a long time since completion of ALL therapy. There was a significant association between physical capacity and daily independent living status (p < 0.001). Reading, writing, and mathematical skills were significantly associated with the mean time off-treatment (p < 0.001), and the total score of RPM and PedsQL of those with mathematical difficulties were significantly lower than those without any difficulty (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The months after the treatment (off-treatment time) have not affected total and subunit QL scores. As motor skills difficulties will lead to low academic achievement, early recognition direct the parents for immediate intervention. lead to low academic achievement, early recognition could direct the parents for immediate intervention. Planning psychosocial support programs for physical activity and age-appropriate development of patients from the initiation of treatment will increase the QL in childhood ALL with a survival rate of 80% or more.