Effects of Using a Storybook, to Explain Leukemia to Children Versus the Standard Child Life Intervention, on Parental Stress.

Launched by CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES · Apr 10, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a special storybook can help reduce stress for parents of children who have just been diagnosed with leukemia, compared to the usual support they receive. The researchers want to find out if reading this storybook makes parents feel less stressed at different times: when they first learn about their child's diagnosis, when they leave the hospital, and a few months later. They are also curious to see if the storybook helps parents feel more comfortable and improves their child's understanding of leukemia.

To participate, parents must have a school-aged child (between 3 and 16 years old) who has just been diagnosed with leukemia, or they can be a sibling of a school-aged child. Parents should be able to read and speak either English or Spanish and must be over 18 years old. During the trial, parents will fill out surveys at three different times to share how they are feeling. The study will compare parents who read the storybook with those who only receive the standard support to see which group experiences less stress. This trial is currently recruiting participants at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Parents are approached and enrolled on the inpatient Hematology Oncology unit at CHLA, during the admission where their child received a new leukemia diagnosis.
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Parent/Legal Guardian of a child a. who is school-aged (3-16 years old) with a new leukemia diagnosis b. with a new leukemia diagnosis who is not school-aged but is a sibling of a school-aged child (\<3 years or \>16 years old).
• • Parent/legal guardian is able to speak, read, and write English or Spanish, and give informed consent 3. Parent/legal guardian is over 18 years of age.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Their school-aged children have developmental or cognitive delays, and/or other chronic illnesses.
• • Their school-aged child does not give assent to participate.