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.

Necesidad de apoyo psicológico y calidad de vida en el cuidador primario de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer / Need of psychological support and assessment of quality of life of family caregivers of children with cancer

El cáncer infantil es un problema de salud pública en México. Esta enfermedad es motivo de angustia y problemas psicosociales tanto en el paciente como en su cuidador primario. Si las necesidades del cuidador no son identificadas y atendidas se impacta sobre el bienestar y la salud del infante. EI objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar las necesidades de apoyo (NA) y calidad de vida del cuidador primario informal (CPI) de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer. Método: El diseño fue no experimental y correlacional. Participaron 100 CPIs de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer hospitalizados, la mayoría fueron mujeres y madres de los pacientes. Resultados: Se encontró que las NA mayormente insatisfechas fueron la necesidad de resolver las preocupaciones por el futuro, seguido por las necesidades emocionales y las necesidades de información. Aquellas percibidas con una menor urgencia por resolver fueron las necesidades relacionadas con el acceso médico de los pacientes. El funcionamiento emocional, físico y social fueron las áreas más afectadas en la calidad de vida (CV). Con respecto al impacto familiar, las relaciones familiares mostraron ser uno de los dominios menos afectados. El análisis de regresión múltiple por método intro demostró que las necesidades emocionales y de información no satisfechas, las preocupaciones, actividades diarias, y relaciones familiares de los CPIs explican el 74% de la varianza en calidad de vida. Conclusión: Se recomienda integrar a su protocolo clínico de rutina la detección de necesidades, evaluación de CV, así como la implementación de intervenciones psicoeducativas y, en su caso, la atención psicológica personalizada (AU)

Children’s cancer is a public health problem in Mexico. This disease is also cause of distress and psychosocial problems for the patient, as well as their primary caregiver. The family is the first circle of support for a patient, therefore, if their needs are unmet, the infant’s health and wellbeing will suffer in turn. The purpose of this investigation project was to evaluate supportive needs (SN) and quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers (FCs) of pediatric cancer patients. Method: This investigation’s design was correlational and non-experimental. The study’s participants were 100 FCs for pediatric cancer patients currently hospitalized at the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico City, the majority were women and mothers of the patients. Results: The results showed that facing the worries about the future, emotional needs, as well as information needs were the most unsatisfied SN’s. The one with least urgency to solve was the patients access and medical continuity needs. Proper emotional, physical and social function were the most affected areas of their quality of life. On the other hand, the family relationship of the family impact domain was one of the less affected. Furthermore, intro multiple regression showed that unmet needs relating to information and emotions, in addition to worries, daily activities and family relationships explained 74% of the variance in QOL. Conclusion: It is advised that detection of needs, evaluation of quality of life, psychological support and the implementation of psychoeducational interventions be integrated into routine clinical attention in this population (AU)

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.

Tamizaje de aspectos psico-oncológicos: validacón de una lista de chequeo / No disponible

Objetivo: Desarrollar y validar una Lista de Chequeo de aspectos psico- oncológicos (LC-Psico-onco) en pacientes con cáncer en tratamiento médico. Método: Se entrevistó a 200 pacientes del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México (INCAN). La obtención de la muestra fue por disponibilidad en el periodo comprendido de Octubre de 2012 a Enero de 2013. Resultados: El análisis factorial oblicuo presentó un modelo de tres factores y 2 indicadores con 16 reactivos. La consistencia interna de la escala global mostró un índice satisfactorio (α=0,811). Las alfas de Cronbach de cada subescala tuvieron un valor de 0,753 y 0,507 que explican el 43,81% de la varianza. La validez por correlación con medidas concurrentes mostró resultados significativos (r de Pearson de 0,51 a 0,68, p<0,05). Conclusiones: La LC-Psico-onco presentó adecuadas características psicométricas. Al ser breve y fácil de aplicar tanto en la práctica clínica como en la investigación con población oncológica ofrece una guía en la planeación de evaluaciones exhaustivas y el diseño de un plan de tratamiento psicooncológico (AU)

Objective: Develop and validate a Checklist of psycho-oncologic issues (LC-Psycho-onco) for oncologic patients in treatment. Method: We included 200 patients at the National Cancer Institute (INCAN). The sample collection was for availability during the period of October 2012 to January 2013. Results: An oblique factor analysis presented a three-factor model with 16 indicators and two reagents. The internal consistency of the global scale showed a satisfactory index (α= 0.811). The Cronbach’s alphas for each subscale were worth 0.753 and 0.507 which explain 43.81% of the variance. The validity through the correlation with concurrent measures showed significant results (Pearson’s r = .51 to .68, p<0.05). Conclusions: The LC-Psycho-onco showed adequate psychometric properties. Being a brief and easy instrument it is useful for both clinical practice and investigation. It provides a guide for planning psychological interventions (AU)