TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementation of Child Life Services in Pediatric HSCT
T2 - A Pilot Study From Thailand
AU - Yooyen, Keerati
AU - Chuchottaworn, Kanokphan
AU - Pakakasama, Samart
AU - Chuthapisith, Jariya
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 2026/1/1
Y1 - 2026/1/1
N2 - Background: Despite improved survival after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Thailand, many children experience physical and psychological distress. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a child life program and its preliminary effects on outcomes. Methods: This pilot pre–post study included 10 children aged 2–8 years undergoing HSCT. The program comprised an HSCT educational video, therapeutic play, art therapy, online group activities, and homebound instruction after discharge. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Changes were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: PedsQL total, nausea, and nutrition scores improved significantly. PSI difficult child scores decreased slightly, whereas CBCL scores showed no significant changes. Six children returned to school within one year. Conclusion: Child life services were feasible and showed potential to improve short-term quality of life in HSCT patients.
AB - Background: Despite improved survival after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Thailand, many children experience physical and psychological distress. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a child life program and its preliminary effects on outcomes. Methods: This pilot pre–post study included 10 children aged 2–8 years undergoing HSCT. The program comprised an HSCT educational video, therapeutic play, art therapy, online group activities, and homebound instruction after discharge. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Changes were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: PedsQL total, nausea, and nutrition scores improved significantly. PSI difficult child scores decreased slightly, whereas CBCL scores showed no significant changes. Six children returned to school within one year. Conclusion: Child life services were feasible and showed potential to improve short-term quality of life in HSCT patients.
KW - HSCT
KW - child life services
KW - pediatric oncology
KW - psychosocial intervention
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105043534800
U2 - 10.1177/30502225261466108
DO - 10.1177/30502225261466108
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105043534800
SN - 3050-2225
VL - 13
JO - Sage Open Pediatrics
JF - Sage Open Pediatrics
ER -