Specificity of factors linked to sustained attention problems in childhood
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivors and possible neuropsychological
treatments: a review of the literature
Tessa Broeken (S1850652)
Master’s specialization: Orthopedagogiek
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
6472CATNY: Neuroscience: Clinical assessment and treatment
January 16, 2024
1992 words (cover page and bibliography excluded)
, Specificity of factors linked to sustained attention problems in childhood
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivors and possible neuropsychological
treatments: a review of the literature
Theoretical background
The survival rates of children diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) exceeds
90% with current treatment-protocols (Pui et al., 2015). This makes pediatric ALL the largest
survivor group of childhood cancer (Philips et al., 2015). Because more children cure from
ALL, the late side-effects after treatment became more noticed. ALL-survivors can suffer
from multiple problems after treatment. For example, neurocognitive deficits in attentional
regulation systems are a well-known problem (Ayse et al., 2017; Koerner et al., 2019). In
particular sustained attention problems are a common neurocognitive outcome (Anderson et
al., 2004; Langer et al., 2002). ‘Sustained attention problems’ refers to having difficulties with
maintainng focus on an stimulus or activity over a longer period of time (Timmers, 2014).
Multiple studies have researched factors that might contribute to the development of sustained
attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors. This is important, because not every survivor
suffers from attention problems and not in the same amounts. For example, factors like
gender and treatment intensity have been linked to different patient outcome (Jain et al.,
2009). It is important to differentiate the researched factors by their value and decide what
neuropsychological treatments are most helpful, because this makes it possible to design the
most appropriate interventions. Therefore, this research will review 23 studies, written
between 2002 and 2023, to determine what specific factors might contribute to the
development of sustained attention problems and what neuropsychological treatments might
remediate established sustained attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors.
Research question
The research question that has been examined for this paper is: ‘’What specific factors are
linked to the development of sustained attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors and
what neuropsychological treatments might remediate established sustained attention problems
for this target group?’’
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivors and possible neuropsychological
treatments: a review of the literature
Tessa Broeken (S1850652)
Master’s specialization: Orthopedagogiek
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
6472CATNY: Neuroscience: Clinical assessment and treatment
January 16, 2024
1992 words (cover page and bibliography excluded)
, Specificity of factors linked to sustained attention problems in childhood
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivors and possible neuropsychological
treatments: a review of the literature
Theoretical background
The survival rates of children diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) exceeds
90% with current treatment-protocols (Pui et al., 2015). This makes pediatric ALL the largest
survivor group of childhood cancer (Philips et al., 2015). Because more children cure from
ALL, the late side-effects after treatment became more noticed. ALL-survivors can suffer
from multiple problems after treatment. For example, neurocognitive deficits in attentional
regulation systems are a well-known problem (Ayse et al., 2017; Koerner et al., 2019). In
particular sustained attention problems are a common neurocognitive outcome (Anderson et
al., 2004; Langer et al., 2002). ‘Sustained attention problems’ refers to having difficulties with
maintainng focus on an stimulus or activity over a longer period of time (Timmers, 2014).
Multiple studies have researched factors that might contribute to the development of sustained
attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors. This is important, because not every survivor
suffers from attention problems and not in the same amounts. For example, factors like
gender and treatment intensity have been linked to different patient outcome (Jain et al.,
2009). It is important to differentiate the researched factors by their value and decide what
neuropsychological treatments are most helpful, because this makes it possible to design the
most appropriate interventions. Therefore, this research will review 23 studies, written
between 2002 and 2023, to determine what specific factors might contribute to the
development of sustained attention problems and what neuropsychological treatments might
remediate established sustained attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors.
Research question
The research question that has been examined for this paper is: ‘’What specific factors are
linked to the development of sustained attention problems in childhood ALL-survivors and
what neuropsychological treatments might remediate established sustained attention problems
for this target group?’’
