Graphical abstract

Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy can be accompanied by a myriad of symptoms affecting other body systems including cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between cognitive functions in the form of selective attention and figural memory domains with standing and walking motor abilities in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. The research design was a correlational study. Tasks assessing cognitive function and gross motor abilities were carried out with a sample of 50 children. The data demonstrated the presence of correlation between selective attention and figural memory domains of cognitive function with standing, walking running, and jumping subscales of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scale at different ages, and this correlation was significant between selective attention domain and gross motor abilities. The outcome measurements of the current study provide original evidence based on the necessity of including cognitive and physical impairments in the examination and evaluation of children with diplegic cerebral palsy in research and clinical settings.

Objectives: Children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in their early childhood are more susceptible to neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. This cross-sectional study was designed to address different types of fine motor impairments in Egyptian children diagnosed with ALL.Methods: Fifty-four children treated for ALL in maintenance phase aged from four to seven years were compared with an age-and sex-matched control group. Fine motor performance was assessed using the total fine motor form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiencysecond edition (BOT-2). Sex-and age-specific norms of BOT-2 were used to calculate scale and standard scores in both groups.Results: Children with ALL had significantly impaired fine motor skills in all subtests and composites of BOT-2 compared with the typically developing group (P < 0.00001). Cumulative doses of vincristine, methotrexate, and dexamethasone revealed no significant correlation with any BOT-2 measure. Males performed significantly better than females in all BOT-2 scores except for the fine motor integration subtest and the total fine motor control composite as no significant differences were observed. The protocol risk stratum, duration of maintenance treatment, and the age at assessment did not significantly affect the BOT-2 measures.Conclusion: About 67% of children with ALL on maintenance treatment experienced fine motor difficulties. Periodic evaluation along the course of chemotherapy could identify specific impaired fine motor domains providing the base for a successful rehabilitation program. K E Y W O R D Sacute lymphoblastic leukemia, BOT-2, chemotherapy, children, fine motor skills

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) have a significant impact on pediatric physical therapists but few studies have addressed the issue. The effects of WRMDs on productivity, quality of patient care and therapists' quality of life and long-term career plans are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of working with work-related musculoskeletal disorders on pediatric physical therapists. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 150 pediatric physical therapists. The questionnaire gathered demographic data as well as information on occurrence and consequences of musculoskeletal complaints in the previous 12 months. The response rate to the baseline questionnaire was 70.66%. Sixty five percent of the subjects who responded to the baseline questionnaire responded to the follow-up questionnaire. Ninety therapists (84.9%) had WRMDs; they noted substantial effects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders at work and in their career plans. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in pediatric physical therapists. This may affect their career plans. There is a need to plans to reduce the risk of injury.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the effect of incentive spirometry training on oromotor and pulmonary functions in children with Down's syndrome.MethodsThirty-four children with Down's syndrome were randomly divided into two groups; the children were of both sexes and aged between 6 and 12 years. Group A received only oromotor exercises, while Group B received oromotor exercises and incentive spirometry training. The pulmonary function test was performed using computerized spirometry model master screen that assessed pulmonary functions (peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1s), while the orofacial myofunctional evaluation with score (OMES) was used to evaluate oromotor function before and after treatment.ResultsThe post treatment results showed significant difference in oromotor and pulmonary functions within both groups, but no significant differences were found between the two groups.ConclusionsOromotor exercises are more effective than incentive spirometry training in improving both pulmonary and oromotor functions in children with Down's syndrome.