Purpose
This study investigated weight status in survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and identified related factors.
Methods
A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of survivors of childhood ALL (n=230) was conducted. We analyzed the survivors' characteristics, including sex, age, weight status at diagnosis, central nervous system involvement, risk classification, length of treatment, radiation therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Analysis of variance and the chi-squared test were applied to investigate influencing factors.
Results
The weight status distribution was as follows: 23 individuals (10.0%) were classified as underweight, 151 individuals (65.7%) were healthy weight, and 56 individuals (24.3%) were overweight/obese. Age at diagnosis (F=10.03, p<.001), weight status at diagnosis (x2=43.41, p<.001), and risk classification (F=10.98, p=0.027) showed significant differences among the weight status groups. Survivors who were older at diagnosis and those in the very high-risk category had a higher likelihood of experiencing underweight status during their survivorship, while survivors who were overweight/obese at diagnosis were more likely to remain overweight/obese at the time of survival.
Conclusion
Considering the potential health implications related to an unhealthy weight status in survivors of ALL, it is imperative to undertake early identification and implement interventions for at-risk individuals.

Citations

• Early Increase in Weight Is Seen During Treatment for Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia—A Retrospective Analysis of Medical Records
  Håkon Endal, Bjørn Helge Handegård, Katrine Nordeng Mellem, Anita Andrejeva, Inga Maria Rinvoll Johannsdottir, Bendik Lund, Trond Flægstad, Inger P. Landsem
  Acta Paediatrica.2025; 114(11): 2935.     CrossRef

Purpose
Childhood leukemia is a serious trauma affecting both adolescents and their parents, who experience painful process. However, adolescents with leukemia and their parents also experience positive changes, which is referred to as posttraumatic growth. We examined posttraumatic growth, core beliefs, impact of event, and event-related rumination in adolescents within 5 years of a diagnosis of childhood leukemia and their parents.
Methods
The participants were 68 adolescents with childhood leukemia (aged 13~18 years) and their parents, who were recruited from C university hospital in Korea from May to September 2016. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Core Belief Inventory, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Event-related Rumination Inventory were completed by the adolescents and their parents. The mean scores and correlations between variables were investigated for both set of participants.
Results
Parents showed significantly higher levels of posttraumatic growth, disruption of core beliefs, impact of event, and invasive rumination than adolescents. Disruption of core beliefs and deliberate rumination were positively correlated with posttraumatic growth in both groups.
Conclusion
Nursing intervention programs that involve modifying core beliefs and inducing a positive thought can help adolescents with leukemia and their parents grow after traumatic events.

Citations

• Testing a model of benefit-finding and growth in youths with chronic health conditions
  Roman E. von Rezori, Harald Baumeister, Reinhard W. Holl, Kirsten Minden, Annabel S. Müller-Stierlin, Christina Reinauer, Svenja Temming, Petra Warschburger
  BMC Pediatrics.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Predictors of Moderate-High Posttraumatic Growth in Parents of Children With Cancer
  Buket Meral, Hacer Kobya Bulut
  Cancer Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation on Parental Psychology After Leukemia Diagnosis
  Oya Sevcan Orak, Ercan Tunç, Canan Albayrak
  Journal of Loss and Trauma.2024; : 1.     CrossRef
• Post-traumatic growth among childhood cancer survivors: A qualitative meta-synthesis
  Shuo Zhang, Chun-Yan Liu, Fang Wang, Zhi-Hong Ni
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 63: 102289.     CrossRef
• Posttraumatic Growth in Youth, Young Adults, and Caregivers Who Experienced Solid Organ Transplant
  Kelli N Triplett, Gillian S Mayersohn, Saba S Masood, Kristine Pickwith, Hayden Mbroh, Michael Killian
  Journal of Pediatric Psychology.2022; 47(9): 965.     CrossRef
• Posttraumatic growth among childhood cancer survivors and their caregivers: associations with rumination and beliefs challenge
  Franciele Cristiane Peloso, Tonantzin Gonçalves, Maria Júlia Armiliato, Lauro Gregianin, Catarina Ramos, Elisa Kern De Castro
  Psicooncología.2022; 19(2): 203.     CrossRef
• The relationship between post‐traumatic stress and post‐traumatic growth in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
  Allison Marziliano, Malwina Tuman, Anne Moyer
  Psycho-Oncology.2020; 29(4): 604.     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop parent coaching domains for the health management of childhood leukemia survivors.
Methods
In this study, we conducted a literature review and in-depth interviews with 6 parents of childhood leukemia survivors who were identified using convenience sampling. We identified areas of parent coaching through the 4 stages of the GROW model, which are: goal setting, realistic grasp, confirmation of realization, and search for alternatives.
Results
Nine domains and 27 subcategories emerged from the study. The 9 parent coaching domains for the health management of childhood leukemia survivors were routine life management, education and information provision, emotional support for the surviving children, social support for the surviving children, follow-up management, family support, school life management, symptom management, and improvement of growth and development.
Conclusion
This research developed 9 parent coaching domains for the health management of children surviving leukemia. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the efficient health management of childhood leukemia survivors by enabling practitioners to continuously identify new coaching domains as needed for their health management. Researchers should improve the health management of childhood leukemia survivors by developing nursing interventions for these new coaching areas.

Citations

• A structural equation model of developing a partnership between pediatric nurses and parents of children with cancer in South Korea
  Sung-Hyun Lim, In Young Cho
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2022; 63: e27.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for adolescents with leukemia.
METHODS
Participants were 102 adolescents (11-21 years) recruited at C university hospital from June to August in 2014. The eligible participants were diagnosed with leukemia and are on follow-up care at the outpatient clinic. Participants were assessed for spiritual well-being, meaning in life, self-esteem, and social support.
RESULTS
Levels of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for these adolescents with leukemia were 3.69 out of 6 and 3.10 out of 4, respectively. Self-esteem and social support from family were factors affecting spiritual well-being. Self-esteem, existential well-being and social support from family and friends were predictive for meaning in life and accounted for 68% of total variance.
CONCLUSION
The results show that there are several factors affecting spiritual well-being and meaning in life in adolescents with leukemia. Therefore, nursing intervention programs for adolescents with leukemia should include strengthening self-esteem and social support as well as considering the spiritual aspect of life in order to find meaning in life beyond leukemia.

Citations

• Identification of Evidence for Key Positive Psychological Constructs in Pediatric and Adolescent/Young Adult Patients with Cancer: A Scoping Review
  Cole Wayant, Jack Manquen, Hannah Wendelbo, Natalie Kerr, Matt Crow, Jon Goodell, Andrea C. Tricco, Jennifer W. Mack, Chan Hellman, Matt Vassar
  Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.2021; 10(3): 247.     CrossRef
• Difficulty in returning to school among adolescent leukemia survivors: A qualitative descriptive study
  Hyeran An, Sunhee Lee
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2019; 38: 70.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
To determine the effects of hand massage on nausea and vomiting, and anxiety in children with lymphocytic leukemia receiving high dose chemotherapy.
METHOD
The children were assigned to an experimental group(15) or a control group(15). All of the children were diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and admitted for high dose chemotherapy at C University Medical Center in Seoul. The hand massage was performed for 10 minutes twice a day over three days. To measure the effects of hand massage, the Index of Nausea and Vomiting by Rhodes et al. and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children by Spielberger were used. The level of anxiety was measured by systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate.
RESULTS
The score for nausea and vomiting decreased in the experimental group. State anxiety for the experimental group was significantly more positive than for the control group at the 2nd measurement. There was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the two groups. The level of diastolic blood pressure in the two groups decreased significantly over time.
CONCLUSION
Hand massage could be effective in decreasing nausea and vomiting, state anxiety, pulse rate and blood pressure in children with acute leukemia receiving high dose chemotherapy.

PURPOSE
This study was done to verify the effects of preeducation and health contract on anxiety and adaptability of children with leukemia when undergoing a spinal puncture.
METHODS
Children in experimental group 1 (10) were given preeducation prior to the procedure and children in experimental group 2 (13), a health contract. Children in the control group (16) received the regular hospital preparation. Observation tools were used to evaluate adaptability and anxiety. Heart rate and oxygen saturation was also used as a measure of anxiety. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
Compared with the control group, experiment groups 1 and 2 showed significant difference in adaptability regarding the number of assistants and test posture. Experiment groups 1 and 2 showed significant difference in voice tone and movement level when compared with the control group. Elevation level in heart rate showed significant differences between the three groups.
Conclusions
Preeducation and nursing mediation through health contracts were shown to be effective methods to reduce anxiety and increase adaptability in children with leukemia who were undergoing a spinal tap.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical conditions and social adaptation of children who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
METHODS
The participants in this descriptive survey were 37 children who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at least one year ago. Data were collected through observation and questionnaires and processed with the SAS program.
RESULTS
Compared to the time of diagnosis, WBC, RBC and platelet counts had increased significantly. The children were taller than at the transplantation stage, but there was no change in weight and73% of the children had physical symptoms. Boys who were between 6 to 11 years of age had lower rates of socialization and academic progress than normal Korean boys. Boys between 12 to 17 years of age had higher rates of socialization, but lower rates of academic progress. Girls between 6 to 17 years of age scored lower than normal Korean girls in both categories.
CONCLUSION
The above findings indicate that children who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation try hard to participate in everyday activities. Therefore nursing interventions to improving normal growth and development and facilitate social adaptation should be provided for them.

Purpose
This study was done to describe psychosocial adjustment of adolescents who have survived childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Method: Out of a total of 16 adolescents (11~20 years old) registered at the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at one university affiliated hospital, 13 adolescents agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The contents of the interviews were analyzed using the inductive content analysis method. Result: Three main categories were identified 'personal characteristics', 'coping patterns', and 'interpersonal relationship'. Personal characteristics included self-praise, self-confidence, altruism, being worrisome, and being difficult. Coping patterns included positive thinking, activeness, and avoidance. Interpersonal relationship included appreciation, intimacy, burdened by over protectiveness, and feelings of regret and equality as peers. Conclusion: The results indicate that adolescents who have survived childhood cancer have both positive and negative experiences. It is suggested that care providers identify and support the strengths of the adolescents in order to help them to adjust more positively after the experience of childhood cancer.

PURPOSE
This study was to explore the mothers' perception of their children's health and learning needs while children with leukemia were attending a children's school in the hospital and to describe the basic material for development of intervention programs.
METHODS
Participants in this study were 7 mothers of children with leukemia. Data collection consisted of in-depth focus group interviews done between April 21 and 30, 2005.
RESULTS
3 categories emerged from 9 theme clusters. The categories were 'tutorial service', 'emotional service' and 'disease control'.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study show that pediatric nurses need to pay attention to the learning needs of mothers and children in the children's hospital school and develop programs to support the children with leukemia and chronic disease, not only while they are in hospital but also in preparation to return to their own school.