Working Memory Performance, Attention Maintenance and Executive Function in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are receiving chemotherapy are at risk of developing a wide range of neurological disorder during medical treatment. This study was conducted to compare working memory performance, attention maintenance and executive function in children with ALL and healthy children. Methods: This causal-comparative research was performed on 50 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 50 healthy children (their sibling) who were between the ages of 7 and 12 years in Children hospital. We used random sampling method. N-back working memory test (N-Back) for working memory function, continuous performance test (CPT) for attention maintenance, and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) for executive function and flexibility were applied. Results: Independent T-test and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the findings. Children with ALL have more deficiency in working memory performance (accuracy; correct response: r = 0.01 and unanswered r = 0.008) and executive functions compared to the control group (% Correct: r = 0.03, % Errors: r = 0.01, Categories achieved: r = 0.017, Failures to maintain set: r = 0.001). But there were no significant differences in attention maintenance scores between the two groups. Conclusions: Children with ALL compared to their healthy siblings show a weak function in cortical regions and frontal lobe. Bio-psycho-social factors lead to cognitive disruption in ALL group.