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Published on: April 26, 2012
A Scoping Review of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy-Related Gait Abnormalities in Children With Cancer
Regan Washist1, Dan Steventon, Paige Samuelson
1University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Grand Forks, North Dakota (Ms Washist and Dr Milanovich); Sanford Children's Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Dr Steventon); Sanford Children's Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Fargo, North Dakota (Dr Samuelson); Jamestown University, Department of Physical Therapy, Jamestown, North Dakota (Dr Anderson); University of South Dakota, Department of Physical Therapy, Vermillion, South Dakota (Dr Berg-Poppe); and Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Fargo, North Dakota (Dr Milanovich).
Abstract:
Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) with associated weakness, areflexia, neuropathic pain, and sensory loss, is a common occurrence in children treated for cancer. However, accurate, quantifiable descriptions of gait deviations due to CIPN are lacking. This scoping review explores common gait abnormalities in children with CIPN.
Methods:
Using extensive database and manual literature reviews, 3 relevant studies were identified that assessed CIPN-related gait changes in children.
Results:
Though each study used different methods to analyze gait patterns, decreased ankle dorsiflexion with slower and shorter gait were common findings across the studies. Changes to ankle dorsiflexion range of motion can lead to slower walking speeds and compensatory changes that can cause developmental effects on a child's gait.
Conclusions:
Relevant research on the topic of CIPN-related gait abnormalities in children with cancer identifies knowledge gaps and the need for more studies on the effects of CIPN on children.
