Effects of a high-intensity psychosocial intervention among child–parent units in pediatric oncology. Issue 5 (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zucchetti, Giulia; Ambrogio, Giorgia; Bertolotti, Marina; Besenzon, Luigi; Borghino, Fabio; Candela, Filippo; Galletto, Chiara; Fagioli, Franca
• Is Part Of: Tumori. Volume 106:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Pediatric oncology -- biopsychosocial model -- psychological intervention -- quality of life -- family; Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1177/0300891620926226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-8916

Abstract

Aim: To compare the efficacy of a high-intensity psychosocial intervention with standardized usual care in countering psychosocial complexity among child–parent units in a pediatric oncology setting. Methods: Two hundred pediatric oncology patients and their parents were recruited from Italian hospitals. A total of 81 child–parent units were assigned to the high-intensity psychosocial intervention and 119 child–parent units to standardized usual care. Psychosocial factors were assessed before and 1 year after intervention to measure efficacy. Results: More improvements over time were observed in the high-intensity intervention group of child–parent units compared to the standard intervention group. Conclusion: An intensive, structured, and tailored high-intensity intervention positively affects the psychosocial factors of child–parent units. Patients and families should have access to intensive psychosocial support throughout the cancer trajectory.