Functional status of children after treatment for a malignant tumour of the CNS: a preliminary report

The functional status of 41 paediatric patients after treatment for a malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumour was assessed using gait analysis and balance studies. Parameters of balance were obtained from stabilograms registered during “eyes-opened” and “eyes-closed” conditions. The patients could be divided into two groups: first, those with no deficits of balance, and second those with a balance deficit. The functional deficits exhibited by patients were not dependent on the tumour localization or age of onset of their illness. The mean time between the end of the treatment and the time of the study was 5.8 years in the non-deficit balance group, and 3.7 years in the balance deficit group (p = 0.023). Children with a balance deficit tended to walk with a slightly higher speed, due to increased cadence. Their step width was slightly increased, as well as the percentage of the stance phase. They walked with increased external rotation at the hips and knee flexion at initial contact was slightly increased. The results suggest that patients can compensate the problems caused by oncology treatment, and indicate the need for early rehabilitation of CNS tumour patients.