Brief Report: Evaluation of an Interactive Intervention Designed to Reduce Pediatric Distress During Radiation Therapy Procedures

Abstract

The interactive intervention was effective at reducing RT-related distress (as measured by HR) and would be a useful tool in pediatric radiation oncology settings.

Predicting Pediatric Distress During Radiation Therapy Procedures: The Role of Medical, Psychosocial, and Demographic Factors

“…Techniques such as modeling, distraction, desensitization, positive reinforcement, relaxation, visual imagery, practice, education, and so forth have been found to significantly reduce RT-related distress. 4,31 Klosky et al, 31 for example, report on a randomized clinical trial that evidenced the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention in reducing RT-related distress similar to that of orally administered diazepam (Valium) among preschool-and school-aged children. 36 In a smaller study, Slifer 2 reports that Յ82% of pediatric patients between the ages of 2 and 7 years were able to complete RT simulation and treatment successfully without any use of sedation after completing a behavioral intervention.…”

“…The details and findings of this larger study are reported elsewhere. 31 Eligible patients were those who had a primary diagnosis of malignancy, aged 2 to 7 years at the time of RT simulation, used English as their primary language, had no previous experience with external beam irradiation, and were functioning at a level at which they could tolerate RT intervention. Accordingly, eligible patients were required to have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status rating of 0 (no physical debilitation or functional impairment) to 3 (moderate physical debilitation or functional impairment) as reported by the child's physician.…”

Music’s relevance for pediatric cancer patients: a constructivist and mosaic research approach

“…Median age at diagnosis was 4.8 (2.7-8.1) years; 19 were male and 25 lived in cities. Median interview length was 16 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23) min. Malignancies were leukemias (18), neuronal (six) and non-neuronal (three) solid tumors, and lymphomas (two).…”

“…Parental beliefs about music's effects on pediatric oncology outpatients indicated improved relaxation, but, paradoxically, the children presented with increased sympathetic activity based on heart rate variability analysis [17]. Other helpful supportive modalities used with young cancer patients include self-selected distracters with port access or venipuncture [18], art therapy with bone aspirations and lumber punctures [19], and an interactive cartoon figure [20], play preparation [21], and behavioral training [22] interventions with radiotherapy.…”

Aspectos afetivos na percepção da dor pediátrica, estresse e qualidade de vida de crianças hospitalizadas

“…Deste modo, torna-se necessário a construção e uso de métodos de avaliação e de estratégias de intervenção que reduzam o sofrimento da criança, atuando na prevenção das reações de dor e da ansiedade em procedimentos seguintes (Dahlquist, Pendley, Landthrip, Jones & Steuber, 2002;Dahlquist, McKenna, Jones, Dillinger, Weiss & Ackerman, 2007;Klosky, Tyc, Srivastava, Tong, Kronenberg, Booker & Merchant, 2004;Manne, Bakeman, Jacobsen, Gorfinkle & Redd, 1994;Manne, Redd, Jacobsen, Gorfinkle, Schorr & Rapkin, 1990 Além das crianças, os adolescentes também foram avaliados em um estudo sobre o enfrentamento das situações de estresse relacionadas à diabetes tipo 1 (Jaser & White, 2011).…”