Anxiety, Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Pediatric Oncology, Chemotherapy, Play-based Intervention, Parents, Anxiety
Brief summary
This single-group pretest-posttest study evaluated changes in anxiety levels among children undergoing inpatient chemotherapy and their parents following nurse-led recreational play activities. Thirty-one child-parent pairs completed the study. Child anxiety was assessed using the Children's State Anxiety Scale, and parent anxiety was assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory Form-I immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention.
Detailed description
This study aimed to examine the effect of recreational play activities on anxiety levels of children undergoing chemotherapy and their parents. A quasi-experimental study design was used. The study was conducted in a pediatric oncology unit and included children receiving chemotherapy and their parents who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were assigned to an intervention group that received structured recreational play activities in addition to routine care. Recreational play activities were planned according to the age and developmental level of the children and were implemented during chemotherapy sessions. The activities included age-appropriate games and play-based interactions designed to promote relaxation, emotional expression, and coping. Anxiety levels of children and parents were assessed before and after the intervention using validated anxiety measurement scales. Demographic and clinical data were also collected. The primary outcome of the study was the change in anxiety levels of children and parents following participation in recreational play activities. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Clinical Research Ethics Committee prior to the initiation of the study. Written informed consent was obtained from parents, and assent was obtained from children when appropriate. All study procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical principles and institutional guidelines. The results of this study provide evidence on the effectiveness of recreational play activities as a non-pharmacological nursing intervention to reduce anxiety in pediatric oncology settings and support the integration of play-based approaches into routine clinical care.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNurse-Led Recreational Play Activities
Children undergoing inpatient chemotherapy participated with one parent in nurse-led recreational play activities conducted in the clinic playroom after scheduled treatment. The available activities included puzzles, Lego and model-building games, puppet-making and puppet play, storytelling, drawing, origami, and mandala coloring. Children selected activities according to their preferences, age, clinical condition, and attention span. Each child participated in the recreational play activities together with one parent. Parental participation was a standardized component of the intervention, and the parent actively engaged in the activity or activities selected by the child. The recreational play activities lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. Child and parent anxiety levels were assessed immediately before and immediately after the intervention.
Sponsors
Akdeniz University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This quasi-experimental study used a single-group pretest-posttest design. Participants received structured play-based supportive care activities in addition to routine care, and outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 10 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children aged 4-10 years who were hospitalized for chemotherapy treatment in the pediatric oncology and hematology clinic Willingness of both the child and parent to participate Written informed consent provided by the parent Parent able to read and write Turkish
Exclusion criteria
A major stressful life event unrelated to the illness during the previous six months, such as parental divorce, relocation, or death of a family member A clinically unstable condition preventing participation in recreational activities Terminal-stage disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Children's State Anxiety Scale Score | Immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention, within the same session | The Children's State Anxiety Scale is a single-item visual scale used to assess children's state anxiety. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater state anxiety. Change was evaluated by comparing the scores obtained immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Parent State Anxiety Inventory Form-I Score | Immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention, within the same session | The State Anxiety Inventory Form-I is a 20-item instrument used to assess parents' situational anxiety. Total scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater state anxiety. Change was evaluated by comparing the scores obtained immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORŞule Şenol, PhD
Akdeniz Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi
Outcome results
None listed