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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Nov-Dec;37(10):1104-15.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jss093. Epub 2012 Sep 3.

A clinic-based interdisciplinary intervention for mothers of children newly diagnosed with cancer: a pilot study

Larry L Mullins  1 , David A Fedele, Mark Chaffin, Stephanie E Hullmann, Carol Kenner, Angelica R Eddington, Sean Phipps, Rene Y McNall-Knapp
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A clinic-based interdisciplinary intervention for mothers of children newly diagnosed with cancer: a pilot study

Larry L Mullins et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of an interdisciplinary intervention for mothers of children newly diagnosed with cancer and to estimate effect sizes for the intervention in reducing distress. Management of illness uncertainty was a key framework for the intervention.

Methods: Mothers (N = 52) were randomly assigned to the intervention or a treatment as usual group, completing measures at baseline and follow-up time points.

Results: Mothers' satisfaction ratings were consistently high, and intervention implementation appeared feasible. Significant mean effects or trends in favor of the intervention group were found for pre-to-post change on measures of distress. Evidence of a preventative effect was also observed; mothers in the intervention group tended to improve or remain stable in their adjustment, whereas many parents in the treatment as usual group showed worsening outcomes.

Conclusions: An interdisciplinary intervention targeting maternal illness uncertainty has clinical value within this sample.

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Figures

Figure 1<i>.</i>
Figure 1.
Participant flow through the intervention. Note. All cases were analyzed via growth curve modeling if participants provided any data. *Owing to missing data, the analyzed intervention group sample was slightly smaller (n = 26) for the Care of My Child With Cancer Scale, Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised outcomes.
Figure 2<i>.</i>
Figure 2.
Care of My Child With Cancer Scale mean and individual change estimates.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Symptom Checklist 90-Revised mean and individual change estimates.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Impact of Events Scale-Revised mean and individual change estimates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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