Virtual reality as a non-medical tool in the treatment of anxiety, pain, and perception of time in children in the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment.

Introduction: Management of pediatric cancer patients involves invasive procedures such as punctures, injections, catheter placements, and chemotherapy which can generate fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and pain. Virtual Reality (VR) is a nonpharmacological intervention classified as a cognitive-behavioral method to relieve symptoms. Methods: We designed a crossover protocol and included 20 patients between 9 and 12 years old; ten were male. All patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis and were treatedwith St. Jude's XV protocol in the maintenance phase. Pain and anxiety were measured with validated scales in the pediatric population. Results: Although we used a small group of patients, we found statistical difference in the reduction of anxiety and perception of time. Discussion: These results open a window to non-pharmacological treatments and show a strategy to improve quality of life in children inside the hospital.

Implementation of guidelines to integrate the caregiver as a coassistant of health-care personnel during the hospital stay of COVID-19 pediatric patients: adaptation in a Mexican public pediatric hospital / Implementación de guías para integrar al cuidador como coauxiliar del equipo de salud durante la estancia hospitalaria del paciente pediátrico con COVID-19: adaptación en un hospital pediátrico público mexicano

Abstract This paper describes the experience in a public pediatric hospital when implementing the Mexican Health Ministry’s recommendations on the inclusion and importance of a chosen caregiver during the hospitalization of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pediatric patient. The implementation includes the adjustments, observations, and limitations made in real practice and process. In conclusion, the value and benefits of the accompaniment of hospitalized children with COVID-19 by a primary or chosen caregiver are evidenced and supported by family-centered care. Furthermore, the recommendations mentioned result in comprehensive bio-psycho-social care for the benefit of pediatric patients.

Resumen Se describe cómo el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez pone en funcionamiento las recomendaciones publicadas por la Secretaría de Salud sobre la inclusión y la importancia del acompañamiento de un cuidador primario durante la hospitalización del paciente pediátrico con COVID-19. Se incluyen las adecuaciones, las observaciones y las limitaciones del proceso. Se concluye acerca de la importancia de la flexibilidad y el buen uso de los recursos en la implementación de la guía. Además, se examinan la atención biopsicosocial integral en beneficio de los menores y la importancia del acompañamiento, que se sustenta en la atención centrada en la familia y la integración del cuidador como auxiliar en el equipo médico.

Implementation of guidelines to integrate the caregiver as a coassistant of health-care personnel during the hospital stay of COVID-19 pediatric patients: adaptation in a Mexican public pediatric hospital.

This paper describes the experience in a public pediatric hospital when implementing the Mexican Health Ministry's recommendations on the inclusion and importance of a chosen caregiver during the hospitalization of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pediatric patient. The implementation includes the adjustments, observations, and limitations made in real practice and process. In conclusion, the value and benefits of the accompaniment of hospitalized children with COVID-19 by a primary or chosen caregiver are evidenced and supported by family-centered care. Furthermore, the recommendations mentioned result in comprehensive bio-psycho-social care for the benefit of pediatric patients.