The Stoplight Program: A Proactive Physical Therapy Intervention for Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Chemotherapy can lead to long-term neuromuscular impairments in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
• Early physical therapy (PT) intervention is crucial for managing these effects.
• The Stoplight Program (SLP) was designed as a proactive PT approach for pediatric ALL patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of implementing the SLP within standard care for children with ALL.
• To identify patterns of body function and activity limitations in these patients.
• To assess the effectiveness of the SLP in improving motor function.

Main Methods:

• Program evaluation of the SLP delivered as part of routine care.
• Inclusion of children aged 1 to 22 years diagnosed with ALL.
• Utilized a 3-level system to categorize impairment and PT intensity.
• Assessed motor function and activity patterns at initial evaluation and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Out of 135 screened children, 46% completed at least 5 PT visits, and 32% completed the full program.
• Initial assessments revealed abnormal motor function in 46% of younger children (1-5 years) and 67% of older children (6-22 years).
• Children who completed the SLP program demonstrated motor function within healthy norms upon discharge.

Conclusions:

• The SLP is a feasible PT intervention for children with ALL within standard care.
• A significant proportion of children with ALL experience motor impairments requiring intervention.
• Further research is needed to understand factors influencing adherence and the full spectrum of functional limitations.