Cited by 45Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifeFamily Support in IllnessNursing care and research

The effects of psychoeducational interventions on caregivers of children with cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Tang, Winnie PY, Chan, Carmen WH, Leung, Doris YP, Chan, Dorothy NS·2020·Journal of Child Health Care

Abstract

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the best available evidence concerning the effects of psychoeducational interventions (PEIs) on the psychosocial and coping outcomes for caregivers of pediatric oncology patients. A literature search was performed using 11 databases, from inception to June 2017. Keywords such as pediatric, caregiver, parents, cancer, and intervention were used. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Studies with full text available online in English and those conducted of caregivers of children diagnosed with any form of cancer were included. Eleven RCTs were included in the analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed that PEIs have small to large effects on three outcomes, including post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), mood, and problem-solving skills. However, the outcomes from PEI were not superior to the usual standard of care for anxiety, depression, and social support. Our meta-analysis provided moderate evidence that PEI enhances psychological and coping outcomes. Because coping affects both physical and psychological health, health care professionals could consider including coping as a core component in PEI delivered to caregivers of children with cancer.

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Authors
Tang, W. P., Chan, C. W., Leung, D. Y., & Chan, D. N.
Affiliations
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
  • The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Corresponding author
Tang, Winnie PY
Venue
Journal of Child Health Care
Published
2019-01-17
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
123-142
ISSN
  • 1367-4935 (ISSN-L)
  • 1741-2889
OpenAlex
W2908541651
Cited by
45
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2013: 1
FWCI
0.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Child Health Care (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
Keywords
psychoeducational intervention, caregivers, childhood cancer, psychosocial outcomes, coping, posttraumatic stress symptoms, mood, problem-solving skills, anxiety, depression, social support, parents of children with cancer
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Child, Humans, Neoplasms, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Caregivers

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