Laurie Leigh

Play performance scale as an index of quality of life of children with cancer

This study explores the reliability and validity of the Play Performance Scale for Children as a measure of quality of life among 120 children with cancer who were either hospitalized patients receiving treatment, outpatients receiving treatment, or patients who had completed their treatment

Survivors of pediatric posterior fossa tumors: Cognitive outcome, intervention, and risk-based care

Adolescent and young adult survivors of posterior fossa tumors face a wide variety of functional challenges following treatment. The concept of survival needs to include plans to regularly monitor and effectively respond to those patients considered at risk for continued morbidities associated with cancer and its treatment. The nature of impairment experienced by survivors is discussed, including predominant patient- and treatment-related risk factors. A model to respond to the cognitive needs of survivors, including risk-based evaluation and intervention, is proposed. It is imperative for the success of the survivor that a team approach is taken to care. This approach must include improving the awareness and education of teachers and other education specialists who interact with this population of survivors. There is also an obligation to put forth effort in developing and validating efficacious intervention programs.

Feasibility and Efficacy of a Computer-Based Intervention Aimed at Preventing Reading Decoding Deficits Among Children Undergoing Active Treatment for Medulloblastoma: Results of a Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of a computer-based reading intervention completed by patients diagnosed with a brain tumor. METHODS Patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 43) or standard of care group (n = 38). The intervention consisted of 30 sessions using Fast ForWord® exercises in a game-like format. Change in reading decoding scores over time since diagnosis was examined. Gender, race, parent education, parent marital status, and age at diagnosis were examined as covariates. RESULTS 17 patients (39.5%) were able to complete the target goal of 30 intervention sessions. Females had significantly greater training time than males (p = .022). Age at diagnosis was associated with average training time/session for females (r = .485, p = .041). No significant differences were found in reading scores between the randomized groups. CONCLUSIONS The study was well accepted by families and adherence by patients undergoing radiation therapy for medulloblastoma was moderate. Suggestions for improved methodology are discussed.

Student/patient: the school perceptions of children with cancer

Abstract Childhood cancer incidence is rising, affecting a growing proportion of elementary school students. For most of these children, school attendance can be limited by hospitalisations, treatments and side effects. However, little is yet known about the educational needs and experiences of this population. This phenomenological study explored the school experiences of 10 6- to 12-year-old children with cancer as they underwent chemotherapy. Results revealed perceptions that attending school in the hospital or home during cancer treatment is essentially lonely, confusing and “different”. These perceptions intertwined to illuminate five themes: (1) school should involve fun activities; (2) group educational formats are preferable; (3) old school is the “best school”; (4) being a “good student” is important during treatment; and (5) attending school is complicated during treatment. Therefore, hospital-based and homebound schooling programmes should integrate socially interactive and cognitively engaging curriculum to best support the learning needs of this population.