Children who are treated for cancer are at risk for decreased functional status both during and after their treatment.  Decreased physical function due to treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), lymphoma, solid tumors, and CNS tumors may lead to decreased overall activity levels and an increased risk of obesity, decreased bone mineral density, and later in life cardiovascular disease. Now that the vast majority of children survive cancer treatment, we must understand the physical deficits that this treatment brings and intervene in order to maintain normal motor development and improve their quality of life during and after treatment.

Treatment for childhood cancer can be quite intense and often is prolonged over months and years.  In addition to the potential impact of surgery and radiation therapy, chemotherapeutic agents that are known to be toxic to the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal system are commonly used in childhood cancer. More specifically, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can affect children and adolescents during and after cancer treatment and is likely related to functional outcomes.  Physical therapists must understand cancer-related impairments and choose appropriate outcome measurements in order to design a successful plan of care. In our presentation we will: 1) Describe the disease process, epidemiology, and typical treatment regimen for childhood leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors including CNS tumors 2) discuss the current literature and our ongoing research on CIPN, physical impairments and motor performance deficits in children, adolescents, and survivors of these childhood cancers; 3) describe possible outcome measurements appropriate to these populations; 4) discuss the evidence base for and practical application of intervention techniques to address common physical impairments and function; 5) provide lab time to practice assessment and intervention techniques with volunteer patients and 6) present case studies that portray the clinical relevance of the course material.

• Participants will receive a certificate of participation for 1.4 CEUS (14 contact hours) at the conclusion of the course.
• Snacks will be provided and lunch is on your own. Please dress comfortably.

Register Online

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Location

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Indian Hills East
8404 Indian Hills Drive
Conference Room 1^st Floor
Omaha NE 68114

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Course Schedule

8:00 am – 4:00 pm Both Days

• 7:30 am: Registration
• 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session
• 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch (on your own)
• 1:00 – 4:00 pm: Session/Q&A

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Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:

• Describe the typical treatment regimen for children with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors including CNS tumors.
• Describe the current literature on CIPN in children and adolescents with non-CNS cancer.
• Describe the current literature on physical impairments, motor performance deficits in children with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors.
• Discuss the pros and cons of different outcome measurements to use in these populations.
• Describe and demonstrate assessment and intervention techniques to address common physical impairments and motor performance deficits in children with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors.

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Speaker Information

Laura Gilchrist PT, PhD is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at St. Catherine University and a Clinical Research Scientist at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of MN.  Her research focuses on cancer-related impairments of the neuromuscular systems.  She is currently the PI of a study on the prevalence and persistence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in children undergoing chemotherapy and a second study on motor performance deficits in children undergoing cancer therapy. She has presented at the APTA Combined Section Meetings, American Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nursing Association Conferences, and a Children’s Oncology Group meeting.

Lynn Tanner, PT is a Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist in Oncology at Children’s Minnesota. She received her BA in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1999 and her Master’s in Physical Therapy from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences in 2001.  In her current role, she provides PT services to the oncology population in the oncology clinic, conducts research related to pediatric oncology, and serves as a resource for pediatric oncology rehabilitation.  She has presented at the APTA Combined Section Meetings, American Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nursing Association Conferences, Children’s Oncology Group meeting, and International Society of Pediatric Oncology meeting. She was awarded the Emerging Leader Award for 2010 from the APTA and served as the chair of the Pediatric Oncology Special Interest Group from 2010-2014.

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Hotels

Staybridge Suites
7825 Davenport Street
Omaha, NE 68114
402-933-8901

Holiday Inn Express
8736 West Dodge Rd
Omaha, NE 68114
402-343-1000

Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Aksarben Village
1717 South 67^th St
Omaha, NE 68106
402-551-1000