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- Geuens, Sam, et al.
(författare)
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Testing a Home Solution for Preparing Young Children for an Awake MRI : A Promising Smartphone Application
- 2023
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Ingår i: Children. - : Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). - 2227-9067. ; 10:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thanks to its non-invasive nature and high-resolution imaging capabilities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric patients. However, the fear and anxiety experienced by young children during MRI scans often result in suboptimal image quality and the need for sedation/anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone application called COSMO@home to prepare children for MRI scans to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia. The COSMO@home app was developed incorporating mini-games and an engaging storyline to prepare children for learning goals related to the MRI procedure. A multicenter study was conducted involving four hospitals in Belgium. Eligible children aged 4–10 years were prepared with the COSMO@home app at home. Baseline, pre-scan, and post-scan questionnaires measured anxiety evolution in two age groups (4–6 years and 7–10 years). Eighty-two children participated in the study, with 95% obtaining high-quality MRI images. The app was well-received by children and parents, with minimal technical difficulties reported. In the 4–6-year-old group (N = 33), there was a significant difference between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores, indicating an increase in anxiety levels prior to the scan. In the 7–10-year-old group (N = 49), no significant differences were observed between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores. Overall, the COSMO@home app proved to be useful in preparing children for MRI scans, with high satisfaction rates and successful image outcomes across different hospitals. The app, combined with minimal face-to-face guidance on the day of the scan, showed the potential to replace or assist traditional face-to-face training methods. This innovative approach has the potential to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia during pediatric MRI scans and its associated risks and improve patient experience.
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| 2. |
- Vanderhaegen, Janne, et al.
(författare)
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Identity Formation and General and Cancer-specific Functioning in Adolescent and Emerging Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Longitudinal Study into Directionality of Effects.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. - 0883-6612 .- 1532-4796. ; 57:9, s. 722-732
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adolescent and emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer generally adjust well psychologically similar to their peers. Nevertheless, some survivors are at greater risk for developing psychological and physical difficulties. To shed light on the psychosocial functioning of adolescent and emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer, personal identity formation and its interplay with general and cancer-specific functioning need to be investigated.To examine the longitudinal associations linking identity formation to general and cancer-specific functioning in adolescent and emerging adult childhood cancer survivors using three-wave data over a 2-year period.Dutch-speaking survivors (at baseline: n = 125; 53% female; age range: 14-25 years) treated at the pediatric oncology department of the University Hospitals Leuven (Belgium), completed self-report questionnaires at three annual timepoints. Directionality of effects and correlated changes were examined using cross-lagged structural equation modeling.Regarding general functioning, bidirectional effects occurred. Life satisfaction positively predicted identity synthesis and both life satisfaction and good physical functioning negatively predicted identity confusion over time. Identity synthesis, in turn, positively predicted life satisfaction and identity confusion negatively predicted good physical functioning over time. Regarding cancer-specific functioning, mainly unidirectional effects occurred. Post-traumatic stress symptoms negatively predicted identity synthesis and positively predicted identity confusion over time, whereas the reverse pattern of associations was found for benefit finding. Several correlated changes were found linking identity formation and psychosocial functioning as well.The present study uncovered clinically meaningful pathways linking identity formation to psychosocial functioning over time in adolescents and emerging adults who survived childhood cancer.
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