Seminars in Oncology Nursing, cilt.40, sa.2, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of an occupation-based nursing program (OBaNuP) on chemotherapy-induced symptoms and satisfaction in pediatric oncology patients. Data Sources: This study was a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 60 hospitalized children with cancer who were aged 7 to 12. Participants were randomly assigned to an OBaNuP (intervention group, n = 30) or clinical routine care only (control group, n = 30). The intervention group participated in an OBaNuP for an average of 30 minutes per day for 5 days. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 7-12 and Psychosocial Symptoms in Hospitalized Children and Child Satisfaction Questionnaire were completed by participants at baseline, the first meeting immediately after intervention, and 7 days and 14 days after the intervention. Conclusion: The average scores of chemotherapy-related symptoms differed over time between the intervention and control groups (P < .05). The psychosocial symptom score averages of the children in the intervention group significantly decreased at all time points compared to the control group (P < .05). The satisfaction mean scores of the children in the intervention group increased significantly at all time points compared to the control group (P < .05). Implications for Nursing Practice: The OBaNuP initiative supported the decrease of chemotherapy-related and psychosocial symptoms, while also promoting an increase in satisfaction among children undergoing cancer treatment at the hospital consistently over all observed time periods.