Muscle strength, functional mobility, and performance in activities of daily living in children and adolescents with cancer

During and after childhood cancer treatment, impairments in physical fitness are observed, such as reduced muscle strength, fatigue, and changes in body functions. These aspects may result in limitations and restrictions in performance of daily activities. To analyze the relationship between upper and lower limb muscle strength, functional mobility, and performance in activities daily living in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, compared to their healthy peers. The cross-sectional observational study involves 45 participants, 15 in the cancer group and 30 in the control group. Personal, environmental, and health data were collected. Participants from both groups were evaluated for upper and lower limb muscle strength, functional mobility (timed up and go test-TUG and five times sit-to-Stand test-5xSTS), and performance in activities of daily living (Pediatric Evaluation Of Disability Inventory—Computer Adaptive Test-PEDI-CAT). The participants were 30 females and 15 males (13.67 ± 5.78 years: cancer group; 13.07 ± 5.11 years: control group). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 7), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 2) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=2) were the main diagnoses in the cancer group. No significant differences were found in upper and lower limb muscle strength between groups (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in functional mobility (TUG and 5xSTS) and performance (PEDI-CAT-mobility) in activities of daily living, with the cancer group showing worse performance compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Children and adolescents with cancer showed lower functional mobility and performance in activities of daily living compared to the control group. These difficulties were not associated with muscle weakness or level of physical activity. Therefore, it is recommended that physiotherapeutic treatment and follow-up include activities focused on mobility and functional independence.