Cognitive-behavioural Intervention for Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life Among Children Receiving Chemotherapy.
NCT ID: NCT05270655
Last Updated: 2023-02-08
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
76 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2022-04-12
2022-10-20
Brief Summary
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This study aims to test how effective cognitive-behavioural intervention is to improve anxiety, depression and quality of life of children during chemotherapy.
The study will be conducted in two hospitals in Ethiopia and include 8-18-year-old children with haematological cancer receiving chemotherapy, able to communicate with the local language, Amharic, able to provide parental consent and child assent, and without history of developmental, psychological, psychiatric, hearing or speech problems.
The study will enroll up to 80 participants and randomise them into two groups, one group will receive a cognitive-behavioural intervention and the the other group will receive the usual psychosocial care provided by staff nurses. Participants in the cognitive-behavioural intervention group will receive five sessions of individual face to face cognitive-behavioural intervention. Each session will last approximately 30-35 minutes a week and supplemented by home-based practices. This study will use different intervention delivery strategies including psychoeducation, guided discovery or Socratic questioning, discussion, drawing, painting or writing, and play depending on the content of each session and maturity of the child.
The levels of anxiety, depression and quality of life will be measured before the intervention, after the intervention and one month after completion of the intervention in both groups.
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Detailed Description
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A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted shows cognitive-behavioural therapy has been used to manage stressful experiences including anxiety and depression among children during the course of cancer treatment. However, the studies included heterogenous participants across the cancer trajectory and employed different intervention delivery strategies. Additionally, majority of the included studies didn't specify the theory guiding the intervention development. Thus, developing and evaluating theory driven and age appropriate cognitive-behavioural intervention strategies for children undergoing chemotherapy is worthy of research. In this study, the Beck's cognitive model will be adopted to develop theory driven and age appropriate effective cognitive-behavioural intervention strategies for children receiving chemotherapy. The model was selected based on the results of the systematic review and other literatures on CBT.
The model describes the interactions among cognition, affection, and behaviour. Accordingly, it is not only the stressor but the perceptions and beliefs of the individual, and interpretation of a particular stressor that affect the emotional, physiological, and behavioural responses. Children with cancer usually have negative perceptions and thoughts about the self and others, the illness, and treatments such as chemotherapy. These distorted thoughts and negative strategies are often associated with emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive-behavioural intervention helps to identify and modify distorted thought and behaviour, and develop cognitive and behavioural adaptations to improve emotional and behavioural responses. Cognitive adaptation is mainly achieved through cognitive restructuring such as identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and misinterpretations and developing coping strategies. Behavioural adaptation is largely achieved through behavioural activation such as identifying and introducing joyful activities. Changes in cognitive processes and developing adaptive behavioural activities increases coping strategies and reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, increase psychosocial functioning and quality of life due to improvement in stressful symptoms.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a theory-based cognitive behavioural-intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life among Ethiopian children with haematological cancer receiving chemotherapy.
In this study, it is hypothesised that when compared to the control group, participants receiving a cognitive-behavioural intervention will have;
1. Significantly decreased anxiety at the end of the intervention
2. Significantly decreased depression at the end of the intervention
3. Significantly increased quality of life at the end of the intervention
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
SINGLE
Study Groups
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Cognitive-behavioural intervention
Five sessions of cognitive-behavioural intervention will be delivered on a weekly basis.
Cognitive-behavioural intervention
Participants in the experimental group will receive five sessions of cognitive-behavioural intervention. Each session will be conducted face-to-face for 30-35 minutes a week and supplemented by home-based practices. The first session is an introductory to cognitive-behavioural intervention, the second session includes identifying, evaluating and challenging maladaptive thoughts, beliefs and behaviour, the third session includes behavioural activation, the fourth session is deep breathing, and the last session includes treatment evaluation and relapse prevention. The interventions will be delivered before chemotherapy sessions to avoid fatigue and to increase the patient's engagement with the interventions. To establish a strong therapeutic alliance and enhance intervention delivery and family support, parents will be invited to attend the introduction of the first session and the summary of each session (the last five minutes).
Usual care
Participants in the control group will receive the usual psychosocial care provided by the staff nurses. To offer them attention, a research assistant in each hospital will meet them every week for 30 minutes to ask them about treatment adherence and any other concerns. The parents will be invited to attend it if they want to do so. Each participant will be given an appointment slip and reminded with a phone call two days before the next appointment. For participants whose medical appointment is more than a week, the research will contact them via phone.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Cognitive-behavioural intervention
Participants in the experimental group will receive five sessions of cognitive-behavioural intervention. Each session will be conducted face-to-face for 30-35 minutes a week and supplemented by home-based practices. The first session is an introductory to cognitive-behavioural intervention, the second session includes identifying, evaluating and challenging maladaptive thoughts, beliefs and behaviour, the third session includes behavioural activation, the fourth session is deep breathing, and the last session includes treatment evaluation and relapse prevention. The interventions will be delivered before chemotherapy sessions to avoid fatigue and to increase the patient's engagement with the interventions. To establish a strong therapeutic alliance and enhance intervention delivery and family support, parents will be invited to attend the introduction of the first session and the summary of each session (the last five minutes).
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
2. Diagnosed with haematological cancer
3. Receiving chemotherapy
4. Able to communicate (speak, read and write) with the local language, Amharic
5. Able to provide written parental consent and oral child assent
Exclusion Criteria
2. Unable to collaborate in the study due to acute illness
3. Have hearing or speech problems
8 Years
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Chinese University of Hong Kong
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Tenaw Gualu MELESSE
Principal investigator
Principal Investigators
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Tenaw G Melesse, PhD (c)
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Janita PC Chau, PhD
Role: STUDY_CHAIR
The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Locations
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Tikur Anbesa specialised hospital
Addis Ababa, , Ethiopia
University of Gondar specialised hospital
Gonder, , Ethiopia
Countries
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References
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Arslan FT, Basbakkal Z, Kantar M. Quality of life and chemotherapy-related symptoms of Turkish cancer children undergoing chemotherapy. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(3):1761-8. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.3.1761.
Flowers SR, Birnie KA. Procedural Preparation and Support as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2015 Dec;62 Suppl 5:S694-723. doi: 10.1002/pbc.25813.
Hsiao HJ, Chen SH, Jaing TH, Yang CP, Chang TY, Li MY, Chiu CH, Huang JL. Psychosocial interventions for reduction of distress in children with leukemia during bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture. Pediatr Neonatol. 2019 Jun;60(3):278-284. doi: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.07.004. Epub 2018 Jul 21.
Hyslop S, Davis H, Duong N, Loves R, Schechter T, Tomlinson D, Tomlinson GA, Dupuis LL, Sung L. Symptom documentation and intervention provision for symptom control in children receiving cancer treatments. Eur J Cancer. 2019 Mar;109:120-128. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.01.002. Epub 2019 Feb 1.
Lawlor C, Sharma B, Khondoker M, Peters E, Kuipers E, Johns L. Service user satisfaction with cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis: Associations with therapy outcomes and perceptions of the therapist. Br J Clin Psychol. 2017 Mar;56(1):84-102. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12122. Epub 2016 Dec 2.
Levine DR, Mandrell BN, Sykes A, Pritchard M, Gibson D, Symons HJ, Wendler D, Baker JN. Patients' and Parents' Needs, Attitudes, and Perceptions About Early Palliative Care Integration in Pediatric Oncology. JAMA Oncol. 2017 Sep 1;3(9):1214-1220. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.0368.
Li HC, Williams PD, Lopez V, Chung JO, Chiu SY. Relationships among therapy-related symptoms, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in Chinese children hospitalized with cancer: an exploratory study. Cancer Nurs. 2013 Sep-Oct;36(5):346-54. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e31824062ec.
Li R, Ma J, Chan Y, Yang Q, Zhang C. Symptom Clusters and Influencing Factors in Children With Acute Leukemia During Chemotherapy. Cancer Nurs. 2020 Sep/Oct;43(5):411-418. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000716.
Lopez-Rodriguez MM, Fernandez-Millan A, Ruiz-Fernandez MD, Dobarrio-Sanz I, Fernandez-Medina IM. New Technologies to Improve Pain, Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents with Cancer: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 19;17(10):3563. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103563.
Pitman A, Suleman S, Hyde N, Hodgkiss A. Depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. BMJ. 2018 Apr 25;361:k1415. doi: 10.1136/bmj.k1415. No abstract available.
Rossberg JI, Evensen J, Dammen T, Wilberg T, Klungsoyr O, Jones M, Boen E, Egeland R, Breivik R, Lovgren A, Ulberg R. Mechanisms of change and heterogeneous treatment effects in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychol. 2021 Jan 22;9(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s40359-021-00517-6.
Walubita M, Sikateyo B, Zulu JM. Challenges for health care providers, parents and patients who face a child hood cancer diagnosis in Zambia. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018 May 2;18(1):314. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3127-5.
Yardeni M, Abebe Campino G, Hasson-Ohayon I, Basel D, Hertz-Palmor N, Bursztyn S, Weisman H, Pessach IM, Toren A, Gothelf D. Trajectories and risk factors for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with cancer: A 1-year follow-up. Cancer Med. 2021 Aug;10(16):5653-5660. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4100. Epub 2021 Jul 26.
Zahed G, Koohi F. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Pediatric Cancer Patients. Iran J Child Neurol. 2020 Winter;14(1):113-121.
Zhang P, Mo L, Torres J, Huang X. Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on psychological adjustment in Chinese pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: A randomized trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(27):e16319. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016319.
Melesse TG, Li WHC, Chau JPC, Yimer MA, Gidey AM, Yitayih S. Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Children With Hematological Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychooncology. 2025 Jan;34(1):e70086. doi: 10.1002/pon.70086.
Melesse TG, Chau JPC, Li WHC. Efficacy of a culturally tailored cognitive-behavioural intervention for Ethiopian children with haematological malignancies: study protocol for randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Sep 27;23(1):811. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06768-x.
Other Identifiers
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CREC Ref. No.: 2021.729-T
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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