Neuropsychological Task Performance in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Survivors of the Malay Population
- Author:
Huda Qistina Zamsyari
1
;
Azizah Othman
2
;
Ahmad Zafrullah Afham Ahmad Fikri
2
;
Surini Yusoff
2
;
Norsarwany Mohamad
2
;
Ariffin Nasir
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Childhood survivor; Wechsler intelligence scale; Delis-kaplan executive function system; Neuropsychological functioning
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2026;22(Supp 2):17-27
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Introduction: Leukemia is one of the most prevalent childhood cancers, accounting for 30% of paediatric cancers globally and 39.1% in Malaysia. This study assesses neuropsychological functioning in childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) survivors, including executive functioning, attention span, working memory, problem solving, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Methods: Twenty-seven childhood ALL survivors (12 males, 15 females), aged 8–26 years and in remission for at least one year, were recruited from Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia. Participants completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale: Digit Span and subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency, Colour-Word Interference, and Sorting Test. Results: Results revealed significant neuropsychological deficits compared to normative data. Working memory performance (Digit Span, M = 6.63) was significantly below the mean. Impairments in executive functioning were found in Trail Making Test scores, particularly in Visual Scanning (M = 6.78), Letter Sequencing (M = 4.30), and Number-Letter Sequencing (M = 4.70). Verbal Fluency deficits were most notable in Letter Fluency (M = 4.70). Cognitive flexibility challenges were indicated by Colour-Word Interference scores (Inhibition, M = 8.04; Inhibition/ Switching, M = 8.26). Sorting Test scores (M = 7.33) indicated categorization difficulties. Correlations showed that school and post-treatment duration positively affected task performance, while earlier diagnosis negatively affected cognitive flexibility. Conclusion: These findings highlight neuropsychological deficits in Malay childhood ALL survivors, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and screening tools to improve their quality of life and address gaps in understanding long-term effects.
- Full text:20260519110430841712026022411332703_MJMHS_0648.pdf
