Cancer Nursing:

January/February 2010 - Volume 33 - Issue 1 - pp 47-54

doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181aaf0fa
Articles

The Impact of Cancer on Children's Physical, Emotional, and

Psychosocial Well-being
Li, Ho Cheung William PhD; Chung, Oi K. Joyce MPH; Chiu, Sau Ying MPH

Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are a stressful and threatening experience, which can be
emotionally devastating to children. Despite the improved prognosis, the course of cancer treatment
has tremendous impact on children. This article aims to examine the impact of cancer on physical,
emotional, and psychosocial well-being of Hong Kong Chinese children, an area of research that has
been underrepresented in the literature. Ninety-eight Hong Kong Chinese children aged 7 to 15 years,
admitted for treatment of cancer in 2 pediatric oncology units of 2 different hospitals, were invited to
participate in the study. Findings from this study indicated that the children scored considerably high
state anxiety on admission, and more than half of the participants presented some depressive
symptoms during their stay in the hospital. Moreover, semistructured interviews indicated that nearly
all children expressed different degrees of sadness and worry. The findings suggested that there is a
room for improvement in existing nursing intervention regarding preparing children for hospitalization
and treatment of cancer. There is an imperative need for nurses to evaluate appropriate nursing
interventions that can help children resume their normal growth and development, in particular, to
help them ease the physical, emotional, and psychological burden of life-threatening disease.
2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

http://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/abstract/2010/01000/the_impact_of_cancer_on_chil
dren_s_physical,.7.aspx

Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Chinese Children Hospitalized

With Cancer: An Exploratory Study
Li, Ho Cheung William PhD, RN; Williams, Phoebe D. PhD, RN, FAAN; Lopez, Violeta PhD, RN; Chung,
Joyce Oi Kwan MPH, RN; Chiu, Sau Ying MPH, RN

Abstract
Background:
Recent advances in cancer screening and treatment have resulted in a decrease in mortality rates in
children and adolescents. However, despite the improved prognosis, the course of cancer treatment
continues to be a very stressful experience in the life of a child.
Objectives:
The objectives of the study were to assess the occurrence and severity of treatment-related
symptoms manifested by children and adolescents undergoing active cancer treatment and to
examine the relationships between therapy-related symptoms, depressive symptoms, and quality of
life of these pediatric patients.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was used, and 135 Hong Kong Chinese children (9- to 16-year-olds)
who were admitted for treatment of cancer in a pediatric oncology unit were invited to participate in
the study.

Results:
Results indicated that children and adolescents receiving combined cancer treatment generally
experienced greater symptom occurrence and severity. In addition, children reporting greater
symptom occurrence and severity experienced higher levels of depression and a lower level of quality
of life. The study revealed that therapy-related symptoms are a strong predictor of quality of life of
children and adolescents hospitalized for cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
Cancer and its treatments significantly affect the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of children
and adolescent hospitalized for cancer care. Therapy-related symptoms can be a useful indicator for
screening those pediatric patients who are likely to exhibit psychosocial distress or are at high risk of
depression.
Implications for Practice:
It is essential for nurses to be sensitive and knowledgeable about the therapy-related symptoms of
cancer treatment and their effects on children and adolescents to promote the psychosocial wellbeing of these patients and enhance their quality of life.
Copyright 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

http://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/abstract/2013/09000/relationships_among_therapy_
related_symptoms,.3.aspx

Nocturnal Awakenings, Sleep Environment Interruptions, and Fatigue

With Cancer
Journal

Oncology Nursing Forum

Publisher

Oncology Nursing Society

ISSN

0190-535X (Print)
1538-0688 (Online)

Issue

Volume 34, Number 2 / 2007

Category

Article

Pages

393-402

DOI

10.1188/07.ONF.393-402

Online Date

Friday, June 15, 2007

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Authors

Pamela S. Hinds, PhD, RN, FAAN1, Marilyn Hockenberry, PhD, RN, PNP, FAAN2, Shesh N. Rai, PhD3, Lijun
Lola Cremer, PT6, Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD7
1

Division of Nursing Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

Center for Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston
3
Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
4
Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
5
Center for Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Texas Children's Cancer Center
6
Rehabilitation Services, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
7
Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2

Abstract

Purpose/Objectives: To describe nocturnal awakenings and sleep environment interruptions expe

four days to receive chemotherapy and to assess the relationships among nocturnal awakenings, s
Design: Longitudinal, descriptive design.
Setting: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Texas Children's Cancer Center.
Sample: 25 patients with solid tumors and 4 with acute myeloid leukemia.

Methods: Actigraphy, fatigue instruments, sleep diary, room entry and exit checklists, and blood sa

Main Research Variables: Nocturnal awakenings, sleep environment interruptions, sleep duration,

Findings: The number of nocturnal awakenings per night as measured by actigraphy ranged from 0
member or parent was 3-22 times per eight-hour night shift. The number of nocturnal awakenings w
experienced 20 or more awakenings had significantly higher fatigue scores than those with fewer a
associated with sleep duration by patient and parent report.

Conclusions: Hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer who experience more nocturnal awakenin

Implications for Nursing: Nurses may be able to control some of the factors that contribute to noc
affect fatigue and sleep duration in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer.