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Loreskär P, Binder PE. Nothing less than a creative triumph: a study of children admitted to hospital for serious somatic illness or injury and their experience of art therapy. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1353507. [PMID: 38558783 PMCID: PMC10979798 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitalization can be an extremely distressing experience for seriously ill and injured children. Art therapy has a well-established clinical history, and recent research has begun to demonstrate its effectiveness in somatic pediatric wards. Descriptive and statistical research indicates that art therapy can alleviate anxiety and fear, improve mood, and enhance communication among children, parents, and healthcare professionals. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the specific elements of art therapy that facilitate a connection with the healthier aspects of the self. Method A total of 12 hospitalized children, aged 4-12, participated in an art therapy session led by a certified art therapist. Verbalizations during the sessions were recorded, and subsequent observations were synchronized with verbatim transcriptions of audio recordings. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify relevant patterns of meaning. Findings The study identified four significant dimensions of the children's experiences during art therapy: (1) The child feels safe, (2) The child becomes a competent artist, bursting with creativity, (3) The healthy child emerges, and (4) The child achieves something beyond its limits - a triumph. Discussion The active ingredients contributing to effective art therapy include the stimulation of creativity, guided art-making with scaffolding support, task variation, granting children control over the artistic process, encouragement of free expression, and the display of positive regard. This study also delves into the therapeutic alliance, emphasizing its role in facilitating children's learning, self-expression, concentration, and the creation of work they take pride in. Additionally, certain psychotherapy-like interactions, such as control-mastery dynamics, were observed. Nevertheless, more extensive research with larger sample sizes is required to draw broader conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Loreskär
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Educational and Psychological Counselling Service, Bergen Municipality, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per-Einar Binder
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Bally JMG, Burles M, Spurr S, McGrath J. Exploring the Use of Arts-Based Interventions and Research Methods in Families of Seriously Ill Children: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF FAMILY NURSING 2023; 29:395-416. [PMID: 37128884 PMCID: PMC10629247 DOI: 10.1177/10748407231165119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Family care is essential to pediatric nursing practice, as the entire family is affected by childhood illness. However, little is known about art making for therapeutic purposes and how art is used to better understand families' experiences. Our purpose was to examine the nature of arts-based interventions and research methods used with, and the experiences of families of children facing life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, and those families who are bereaved. Academic peer-reviewed sources published between January 1999 and May 2022 were retrieved via four databases using key search terms. Twenty-five articles were analyzed, resulting in three multifaceted categories including Social, Emotional, and Family Health. Critical strengths and limitations were also identified. Art making has been incorporated into interventions and research studies due to its benefits for family well-being. Understanding the potential of art making can inspire nurses to implement such activities to enhance family nursing practice and research.
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Coombes L, Harðardóttir D, Braybrook D, Roach A, Scott H, Bristowe K, Ellis-Smith C, Downing J, Bluebond-Langner M, Fraser LK, Murtagh FEM, Harding R. Design and Administration of Patient-Centred Outcome Measures: The Perspectives of Children and Young People with Life-Limiting or Life-Threatening Conditions and Their Family Members. THE PATIENT 2023; 16:473-483. [PMID: 37221441 PMCID: PMC10205035 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-023-00627-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-reported health data from children with life-limiting conditions is rarely collected. To improve acceptability and feasibility of child and family-centred outcome measures for children, they need to be designed in a way that reflects preferences, priorities and abilities. OBJECTIVES The aim was to identify preferences for patient-reported outcome measure design (recall period, response format, length, administration mode) to improve the feasibility, acceptability, comprehensibility and relevance of a child and family-centred outcome measure, among children with life-limiting conditions and their family members. METHOD A semi-structured qualitative interview study seeking the perspectives of children with life-limiting conditions, their siblings and parents on measure design was conducted. Participants were purposively sampled and recruited from nine UK sites. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS A total of 79 participants were recruited: 39 children aged 5-17 years (26 living with a life-limiting condition; 13 healthy siblings) and 40 parents (of children aged 0-17 years). Children found a short recall period and a visually appealing measure with ten questions or fewer most acceptable. Children with life-limiting conditions were more familiar with using rating scales such as numeric and Likert than their healthy siblings. Children emphasised the importance of completing the measure alongside interactions with a healthcare professional to enable them to talk about their responses. While parents assumed that electronic completion methods would be most feasible and acceptable, a small number of children preferred paper. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that children with life-limiting conditions can engage in communicating preferences regarding the design of a patient-centred outcome measure. Where possible, children should be given the opportunity to participate in the measure development process to enhance acceptability and uptake in clinical practice. Results of this study should be considered in future research on outcome measure development in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Coombes
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK.
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Daney Harðardóttir
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Debbie Braybrook
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Roach
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
- University College, London, UK
| | - Hannah Scott
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Bristowe
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Clare Ellis-Smith
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Julia Downing
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
- International Children's Palliative Care Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Myra Bluebond-Langner
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, University College London, London, UK
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lorna K Fraser
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Fliss E M Murtagh
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Richard Harding
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
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Gale V, Carlton J. Including Young Children in the Development and Testing of Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) Instruments: A Scoping Review of Children's Involvement and Qualitative Methods. THE PATIENT 2023; 16:425-456. [PMID: 37402059 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-023-00637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Qualitative research during the development/testing of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) is recommended to support content validity. However, it is unclear if and how young children (≤ 7 years) can be involved in this research because of their unique cognitive needs. OBJECTIVES Here we investigate the involvement of children (≤ 7 years) in qualitative research for PROM development/testing. This review aimed to identify (1) which stages of qualitative PROM development children ≤ 7 years had been involved in, (2) which subjective health concepts had been explored within qualitative PROM development with this age group, and (3) which qualitative methods had been reported and how these compared with existing methodological recommendations. METHODS This scoping review systematically searched three electronic databases (searches re-run prior to final analysis on 29 June 2022) with no date restrictions. Included studies had samples of at least 75% aged ≤ 7 years or reported distinct qualitative methods for children ≤ 7 years in primary qualitative research to support concept elicitation or PROM development/testing. Articles not in English and PROMs that did not enable children ≤ 7 years to self-report were excluded. Data on study type, subjective health and qualitative methods were extracted and synthesised descriptively. Methods were compared with recommendations from guidance. RESULTS Of 19 included studies, 15 reported concept elicitation research and 4 reported cognitive interviewing. Most explored quality of life (QoL)/health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Some concept elicitation studies reported that creative/participatory activities had supported children's engagement, but results and reporting detail varied considerably across studies. Cognitive interviewing studies reported less methodological detail and fewer methods adapted for young children compared with concept elicitation studies. They were limited in scope regarding assessments of content validity, mostly focussing on clarity while relevance and comprehensiveness were explored less. DISCUSSION Creative/participatory activities may be beneficial in concept elicitation research with children ≤ 7 years, but future research needs to explore what contributes to the success of young children's involvement and how researchers can adopt flexible methods. Cognitive interviews with young children are limited in frequency, scope and reported methodological detail, potentially impacting PROM content validity for this age group. Without detailed reporting, it is not possible to determine the feasibility and usefulness of children's (≤ 7 years) involvement in qualitative research to support PROM development and assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gale
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Jill Carlton
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Cheng L, Zhao X, Ge Y, Wang Y, Kang Q. The Experiences of Chinese Children 5- to 7-year-old during cancer Treatment Reflected Through Interviews and Drawings. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2021; 39:88-98. [PMID: 34533397 DOI: 10.1177/10434542211041919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: For children with cancer, the experience during treatment can be challenging. There is a limited number of studies on self-reported treatment experiences of younger Chinese children with cancer using qualitative methods. Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the experience of Chinese children aged 5 to 7 years during cancer treatment reflected through interviews and drawings. Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative design with the technique of "draw-and-tell." Participants were enrolled from the pediatric oncology inpatient department of one national children's medical center in China. They were asked to draw a picture of "your feelings in the hospital." An inductive content analysis approach was used. Results: Twelve participants were enrolled (8 male, mean age 5.7 years). Four themes were established: (1) suffering from adverse treatment effects; (2) perceiving changed relationships; (3) being thankful for others; and (4) trying out coping strategies. Conclusion: Chinese children aged 5 to 7 years expressed multiple cancer treatment impacts. They appreciated others' support and had their own way to cope with treatment demands. The authors also extended the dynamic nature of using the "draw-and-tell" methodology. Study findings highlight the importance of inviting and hearing the voice of young children during their cancer treatment, with particular consideration of the influence of disease, treatment, child development, family dynamics, and culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cheng
- School of Nursing, 12478Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinlei Zhao
- School of Nursing, 12478Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youhong Ge
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, 145601Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingwen Wang
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, 145601Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiongfang Kang
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology Unit, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Aşikli E, Aydin Er R. Paediatric oncology patients' definitions of a good physician and good nurse. Nurs Ethics 2020; 28:656-669. [PMID: 33249951 DOI: 10.1177/0969733020961499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is stated that the communication and disease experiences of paediatric patients, especially paediatric oncology patients, with healthcare professionals are completely different from those of adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the definitions of a good physician and good nurse provided by elementary school-age oncology patients. RESEARCH DESIGN In this qualitative research, data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The data were evaluated thorough thematic analysis. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT Eighteen children hospitalised due to cancer in paediatric oncology and haematology clinics of a university hospital in Turkey. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Institution's Ethics Committee. The objectives of this study were explained to the participants and families, and written consent was obtained from them. Also, participants were assured that necessary measures would be taken to protect their anonymity and confidentiality. FINDINGS The definitions of children were based on five main themes: interpersonal relationships, virtues, professional responsibility, security and individual characteristics. CONCLUSION Children conveyed important messages to health professionals. They emphasised that a good physician and good nurse should communicate well, not only with themselves but also with their family. In addition, children were sensitive about health professionals who played with them and actively participated in the treatment by informing them about the disease. Meeting the expectations of children can be possible by improving the communication skills of physicians and nurses and by adding games and activities to the treatment and care plan.
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Gürcan M, Atay Turan S. The experiences of adolescents receiving cancer treatment in Turkey: A qualitative study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2020; 29:e13239. [DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Stafstrom CE. Using artwork to understand and address the psychosocial challenges facing children and adolescents with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 101:106572. [PMID: 31711867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Artwork is a valuable and underutilized technique for exploring the self-esteem and psychological challenges facing children and adolescents with epilepsy and other chronic diseases. Having children with epilepsy draw a picture of their seizure correlates reliably with seizure type, provides insight into the child's developmental level, and allows expression of inner feelings such as helplessness, vulnerability, and self-concept. Art therapy focus groups are beneficial in helping children with epilepsy express their feelings nonverbally and get to know peers facing similar challenges. On the occasion of Epilepsy and Behavior's 20th anniversary, this article reviews the usefulness of art for exploring the self-concept of patients with epilepsy and acknowledges the journal's support of this informative, inexpensive, and empowering adjunctive technique. "Special Issue: Epilepsy & Behavior's 20th Anniversary".
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl E Stafstrom
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
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