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Article
Examination of an Interactive-Educational Intervention in Improving Parent and Child Distress Outcomes Associated With Pediatric Radiation Therapy Procedures
Faculty Publications – College of Science and Health
  • James L. Klosky, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
  • Danette M. Garces-Webb, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
  • Joanna Buscemi, University of Memphis
  • Lisa Schum, University of Memphis
  • Vida L. Tyc, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
  • Thomas E. Merchant, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2007
Disciplines
Abstract

Although radiation therapy is a non-invasive and painless form of cancer therapy, distress reactions often occur among children and parents undergoing these procedures. This randomized 2 group clinical trial (N = 80) reports on the efficacy of a pediatric interactive-educational intervention regarding both parent and child distress outcomes. As predicted, parents in the intervention condition experienced greater reductions in trait anxiety, t(78) = 1.68, p < .05; and rated the intervention as significantly more effective in reducing pediatric procedural distress, as compared to parents in the control condition, t(78) = 1.74, p < .05. These findings suggest that interactive-educational interventions designed to reduce pediatric distress may generalize to parents, and highlight the importance of including parents in pediatric procedural interventions.

Citation Information
James L. Klosky, Danette M. Garces-Webb, Joanna Buscemi, Lisa Schum, Vida L. Tyc & Thomas E. Merchant (2007) Examination of an Interactive-Educational Intervention in Improving Parent and Child Distress Outcomes Associated With Pediatric Radiation Therapy Procedures, Children's Health Care, 36:4, 323-334, DOI: 10.1080/02739610701601312