eHealth and mHealth psychosocial interventions for youths with chronic illnesses: A systematic review
chronic illness; eHealth; mental health; mHealth; pediatrics; psychosocial interventions
BACKGROUND: An estimated 12.8% of children and adolescents experience chronic health conditions which lead to poor quality of life, adjustment and coping issues, and concurrent mental health problems. Digital health deployment of psychosocial interventions to support youth with chronic illness has become increasingly popular with the advent of the technological advances in the Digital Age. OBJECTIVE: To (1) systematically review published efficacy studies of eHealth (internet-based) and mHealth (mobile health) psychosocial interventions for youths with chronic illnesses; and, (2) review intervention theory and treatment components. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews were searched for studies published from 2008-2019 of eHealth and mHealth psychosocial interventions designed for children and adolescents with chronic illnesses in which efficacy outcomes were reported. We excluded studies of interventions for caregivers, healthy youth, disease and medication management, and telehealth interventions that function solely as a platform to connect patients to providers via phone, text, or videoconference. RESULTS: We screened 2,551 articles, and 133 relevant full-text articles. Sixteen efficacy studies with psychosocial and health outcomes met inclusion criteria, which represented 12 unique interventions. Of the included studies, 12 were randomized controlled trials and four were prospective cohort studies with no comparison group. Most interventions were based in cognitive-behavioral theory and designed as eHealth interventions; only 2 were designed as an mHealth intervention. All but two interventions provided access to support staff via text, phone, email, or discussion forums. The significant heterogeneity in intervention content, intervention structure, medical diagnoses, and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. For example, measurement timepoints ranged from immediately post-completion of the mHealth program to 18-months later, and we identified 39 unique outcomes of interest. The majority of included studies (11/16, 68.75%) reported significant changes in measured health and/or psychosocial post-treatment outcomes, with small to large effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the available literature on the efficacy of eHealth and mHealth psychosocial interventions for youth with chronic illnesses is limited, preliminary research suggests some evidence of positive treatment responses. Future studies should continue to evaluate whether digital health platforms may be a viable alternative model of delivery to traditional face-to-face approaches.
Lau N; Waldbaum S; Parigoris R; O'Daffer A; Walsh C; Colt SF; Yi-Frazier JP; Palermo TM; McCauley E; Rosenberg AR
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
2020
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.2196/22329" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.2196/22329</a>
Team value and visual voice: Healthcare providers' perspectives on the contributions and impact of Art Therapy in pediatric hematology/oncology clinics
Childhood neoplasms; Healthcare providers; Medical art therapy; Pediatric bone marrow transplant; Pediatric hematology/oncology; Psychosocial interventions
Attending to the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients, families and health care providers (HCPs) is critical to the delivery of personalized medical care. Art therapy in this context has been found to be a source of holistic psychosocial support for pediatric hematology and oncology care. Interviews of 21 HCPs in the United States were conducted to assess the impact and contributions of art therapy in pediatric hematology/oncology. HCPs were unanimously supportive of art therapy, reporting it being impactful to the patients, caregivers and providers, and the hospital setting. They noted that it provides a visual voice to the patient experience and creates a unifying, child and family centered space of normalcy and connection. The art therapist is seen as a vital part of the medical team, through their insights and support across the spectrum of hem/onc care. The high demands on art therapists and limited understanding of the scope of clinical practice are challenges that were identified. Art therapy supports the psychological needs of pediatric patients, families, and HCPs and may be an invaluable part of pediatric medical teams for assessment and support. Further education, research and understanding of the contributions of ATs in medical settings could help advance their roles in these contexts. Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
Snyder K; Malhotra B; Kaimal G
Arts in Psychotherapy
2021
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2021.101808Get" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.aip.2021.101808Get</a>