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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah Verity, Dr Rebecca Hill
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2022 by the authors.Background: The deleterious impact upon the cognitive development of survivors of pediatric brain tumors (PBT) is well documented. Impairment in cognitive function is associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), such that survivors of PBT report difficulties in multiple distinct domains and an overall reduced quality of life. Studies of the use of methylphenidate in survivors of PBT to alleviate impairment in cognitive functions have shown some success. The current study aimed to explore the impact upon HRQoL in survivors of PBT of a trial of psychostimulant medication. Method: Data were collected from 12 pediatric neuro-oncology patients aged 7–17 years receiving methylphenidate treatment. HRQoL was measured using the PEDS QL quality of life self-report measure and a semi-structured questionnaire-based interview. Results: Analyses of data demonstrates benefit to five domains associated with HRQoL: social, emotional, academic, physical, and cognition. Conclusion: Survivors of PBT reported favorable views as to the subjective benefit of methylphenidate on post-treatment impairment of HRQoL. This medication may offer the potential for restoration of a sense of ‘normality’ of function following cancer treatment in this clinical population.
Author(s): Verity SJ, Bell L, Ryles J, Hill RM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Children
Year: 2022
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Online publication date: 15/07/2022
Acceptance date: 07/07/2022
Date deposited: 23/08/2022
ISSN (electronic): 2227-9067
Publisher: MDPI
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/children9071058
DOI: 10.3390/children9071058
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