title: Gait Patterns in Children With Cancer and Vincristine Neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children treated with vincristine often develop chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), but effects of CIPN on gait have not been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gait variables of 52 children/adolescents treated for non-central nervous system cancers with CIPN were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. Gait data were collected via GaitRite walkway before and after completing a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Ankle range-of-motion (ROM) measures, balance, and strength tests were also completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants with CIPN had decreased velocity and step length. Ankle ROM and balance explained variability in step length. Both groups increased self-selected velocity after the 6MWT, but participants with cancer walked with slower velocity, shorter step length, and decreased cadence. Strength, neuropathy, and self-selected velocity measured before the 6MWT explained variability in 6MWT scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ankle ROM and balance are important factors when treating step length deficits, whereas strength is also an important consideration for walking capacity.
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Blood Disorders Program (Dr Gilchrist) and Rehabilitation Services (Ms Tanner), Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (Dr Gilchrist), St. Catherine University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gilchrist
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tanner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000843:Ankle Joint; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine