Alteración de condición física y funcional en niños con tratamiento oncológico en Fundación Fuerza Dorian.

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer in children and adolescents is a serious global public health issue; treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and stem cell transplantation can cause side effects affecting children's health both during and after treatment. Objective: To determine alterations in physical and functional status among children undergoing cancer treatment at the Fuerza Dorian Foundation. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, non-experimental study was conducted with a sample of 69 children and adolescents in Guayaquil. Assessments included the Daniels Scale, Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and FACIT Fatigue Scale. Results: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia was the most common type of pediatric cancer (33%). The Daniels Scale showed neck strength at level 3 (47.83%), lower limbs at level 5 (49.28%), and upper limbs at level 4 (47.83%). On the PBS, 67.14% of participants scored between 21 and 45 points (acceptable balance), whereas the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test showed 60% of participants taking 10.01 to 20 seconds, indicating greater functional limitation. PedsQL scores fell within the 50–74 point range (64.29%); the VAS indicated mild to moderate pain (scores of 1–3; 54.29%); and the FACIT Scale showed scores of 0–20 (50%). Conclusion: Variations in functional capacity among pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment highlight the importance of physical therapy focused on enhancing autonomy and well-being.