Randomized Clinical Trial of a Self-care and Communication Intervention for Parents of Adolescent/Young Adults Undergoing High-Risk Cancer Treatment A Report From the Children's Oncology Group

• Authors: Joan E Haase, Indiana University; Kristin Stegenga, Indiana University; Sheri L Robb, Indiana University; Mary C Hooke, University of Minnesota; Debra S Burns, IUPUI; Patrick O Monahan, Indiana University; Timothy E Stump, Indiana University; Amanda K Henley, Indiana University; Paul R Haut, Indiana University; Brooke Cherven, Emory University; Lona Roll, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Anne-Maria Langevin, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Rita H Pickler, Ohio State University; Karen Albritton, Cook Childrens Medical Center; DeAnna Hawkins, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center; Erin Osterkamp, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center; Pauline Mitby, Childrens Minnesota; Jackie Smith, Piedmont Healthcare, Inc; Virginia R Diaz, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Erica Garcia-Frausto, Jazz Pharmaceuticals; Margo Moore, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
• Journal Title: CANCER NURSING
• Volume: Volume 45, Number 4
• Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS | 2022-07-01, Pages 316-331
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000001038
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Oncology; Nursing; Adolescents; Cancer; Communication; Family caregiver; Parents; Self-management; Stress; Young adults; PEDIATRIC CANCER; TREATMENT FIDELITY; BEHAVIOR-CHANGE; ILLNESS MODEL; SMART DESIGN; YOUNG-ADULTS; HEALTH; RESILIENCE; ADJUSTMENT; DEPRESSION

Abstract

Background Parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer offer primary support to their children and often experience their own high levels of distress, affecting parent-AYA communication and quality of life. Objective To reduce parent distress and improve communication during high-risk cancer treatment, we examined efficacy of a self-care and communication intervention for parents and indirect benefit for AYAs receiving a therapeutic music video (TMV) intervention. Methods In this study, we conducted a multisite, randomized controlled trial with AYAs and parents enrolled as dyads (n = 110). Parents were randomized to intervention or low-dose control; all AYAs received TMV. Data collection occurred at baseline, 2 weeks post intervention (T2), and 90 days post intervention (T3). Results There were no significant between-group differences on primary outcomes for parents or AYAs. We did find significant differences favoring the parent intervention group on parenting confidence at T2 and marginally better outcomes for family adaptability/cohesion at T3. Both groups exhibited significant within-group improvement for parent distress (state anxiety, T3; perceived stress, T2 and T3; mood, T3), state anxiety (T2) intervention only, and family strengths control group only. Qualitative data demonstrate the parent intervention raised self-awareness and parent confidence in the short term. Conclusion Parents found their intervention helpful. Absence of significant results may be due to short intervention duration, need for tailored content, underpowered sample, and potential indirect parent benefit from AYA participation in TMV. The parent intervention did not provide an indirect benefit for AYAs. Implications for Nursing Parents identified their own need for communication and support from nurses. Nurses can optimize AYA care by attending to parent needs through supportive listening and encouraging self-care.