Abstract 3869
Background
Children and adolescents with cancer are at risk of experiencing distress in relation to their cancer diagnosis, treatment and treatment-related procedures. Complementary therapies such as reflexology may be used to help alleviate distressing symptoms; however, there is a dearth of research regarding the experience of reflexology from the perspective of children/adolescents with cancer and/or the parents/guardians of those who have received these treatments. Objective: To ascertain the perceptions of parents/guardians regarding their child/adolescent’s experience of reflexology or non-specific foot massage.
Methods
Children and adolescents aged between 7 and 18 years attending a national children’s hospital for cancer treatment were invited to participate in a randomised controlled trial using a Mixed Between Group Repeated Measures design following receipt of ethical approval from the hospital’s Research Ethics Committee. In total, 75 children/adolescents either consented or assented to take part in the study. Of these, 39 were randomized to the intervention group (reflexology) and 36 to the control group (non-specific foot massage). Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with parents/guardians using an interview guide. Interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis.
Results
The overarching theme which emerged across the interviews was participants’ perceptions of the foot treatments in general as a means of supporting the child during treatment for cancer. This central theme is discussed under a number of subthemes, namely psychological wellbeing, perceived physiological impact, time and space, a safe relationship and service development.
Conclusions
The parents/guardians views regarding the foot treatments in general were consistently positive. The implications of the study findings and the future delivery of the complementary therapy service will be discussed.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
UCD.
Funding
Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
2344 - Lung Cancer in Europe: strengthening policy responses to address unmet needs
Presenter: Mary Bussell
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1359 - Curative treatment timelines for breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer: Implications for medical leave coverage
Presenter: Selina Wong
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4433 - Acute Diagnostic Oncology Clinic: A Unique Primary Care-Oncology Service
Presenter: Abhijit Gill
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3506 - THE NEW MUTATIONAL MODEL IN ONCOLOGY. What changes in welfare, clinical practice, research, and regulatory procedures
Presenter: Nicola Normanno
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3350 - Selection of a set of quality indicators (QI) for oncological clinical pathway
Presenter: Aude Fourcade
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4400 - Sustainable drug prices at market launch: policy proposals and their empirical evidence
Presenter: Nora Fanzen
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4118 - Impact of financial considerations on French physicians’ prescription choices for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Presenter: Nathalie Olympios
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1340 - The direct medical cost of breast cancer in a Belgian hospital
Presenter: Hannan Lemhouer
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1863 - Does the healthcare system approaches cancer patients for using private services during diagnostic process?
Presenter: Karolina Osowiecka
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2637 - Measuring financial toxicity of cancer in the Italian health care system: initial results of the patient reported outcome for Fighting Financial Toxicity of cancer project (proFFiT).
Presenter: Silvia Riva
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract