A systematic scoping literature review on the use of child life therapy (CLT) in the perioperative setting. Issue 10 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Sarah; Cordner, Phillipa; Weir, Kelly A; Machingura, Tawanda
• Is Part Of: Journal of perioperative practice. Volume 32:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Child life therapy / Child life specialist / Perioperative / Preoperative anxiety / Play therapy; Operating room nursing -- Periodicals; 617.9192
• DOI: 10.1177/17504589211005714
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-7949

Abstract

Background: Children and their caregivers often experience anxiety related to a perioperative admission. A systematic scoping review was conducted to map the evidence for child life therapy, including the professional background of treating clinicians. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley methodology. Six databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched. Results: After reviewing 578 titles and abstracts, and 55 full texts, 11 studies were retained. Included studies were randomised controlled trials ( n = 5), retrospective studies ( n = 3), descriptive studies ( n = 1) and clinical studies ( n = 2). Child life therapy was effective for anxiety, anaesthetic induction quality, child cooperation and parental satisfaction. Professions delivering interventions included Child Life Therapists, nurses and a multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: There is emerging evidence for child life therapy which may be used to guide delivery of paediatric procedural support in perioperative settings. Further studies are needed to inform practice.