Improved parent-child communication following a RCT evaluating a legacy intervention for children with advanced cancer

Improved parent-child communication following a RCT evaluating a legacy intervention for children with advanced cancer

Akard T F; Dietrich M S; Friedman D L; Gerhardt C A; Given B; Hendricks-Ferguson V; Hinds P S; Ridner S H; Beckmann N; Gilmer M J

Progress in Palliative Care

2020

pediatric; palliative care; cancer; parent-child communication; parent-child relationship; father-child relationship; family relationships; web-based intervention

Although legacy-building is a priority for quality palliative care, research has rarely examined effects of legacy interventions in children, particularly their impact on parent-child communication. We examined the impact of a web-based legacy intervention on parent-child communication. Facebook advertisements were used to recruit families of children (ages 7-17) with relapsed/refractory cancer. Parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care group. The intervention website guided children to create digital storyboards over 2 weeks by directing them to answer legacy questions about themselves and upload photographs, videos, and music. Families received a copy of the child's final digital story. Children and parents completed the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2). Linear regressions tested for differences in change from T1 to T2 between the groups controlling for T1 values using an alpha of P<0.05. Intervention effects were measured using Cohen's d. Ninety-seven parent-child dyads were included for analysis. Changes in parent-child communication were not statistically significantly different between the groups, yet meaningful intervention effects were observed. The strongest effects were observed for improving father-child communication (Cohen's d = -0.22-0.33). Legacy-making shows promise to facilitate improved parent-child communication, particularly for fathers. Clinical Trials Registry: Number NCT04059393. Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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