Presenter Status
Resident/Ph.D/Post graduate (> 1 month of dedicated research time)
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Carolyn R. Bates, PhD
Start Date
14-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
14-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Introduction: Excessive weight gain during early phases of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment elevates risk for long-term morbidities, late effects, and secondary cancers. Behavioral factors including physical inactivity and poor diet quality play a significant role in weight outcomes. Existing health behavior and obesity interventions do not address challenges that children and families face during cancer treatment. The current study qualitatively investigated caregiver, child, and multi-disciplinary expert perspectives on health behavior engagement and intervention content for the future adaptation of NOURISH-ALL.
Method: Caregivers (N=11) and youth with ALL (N=6) in the first year of treatment completed semi-structured interviews about barriers to family and child engagement in health behaviors, desired supports around health promotion, and overall intervention format. Multidisciplinary experts also completed semi-structured interviews exploring intervention content and delivery to fit the early ALL treatment setting. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clark’s 6-step framework (2006) to identify themes to aid in future adaptation.
Results: Broadly, caregivers and multidisciplinary experts identified value in providing health behavior education during the early stages of ALL treatment. Treatment side effects alongside caregiver fear and uncertainty were found to be primary barriers to health behavior engagement. Side effects including appetite and weight changes, pain, and general malaise were largely found to lead to increased uncertainty on how best to maintain health behaviors. Notably, endorsed fear and uncertainty resulted in lax parenting styles and caregivers generally following their child’s lead, specifically related to nutrition and activity-based decisions. Regarding format, ensuring the intervention remained relevant and accessible to the family (e.g., flexible telehealth options) was broadly discussed.
Conclusions: Caregivers, children, and medical experts identified the necessity for health behavior intervention development. Providing caregivers with essential support in maintaining health behaviors throughout the early stages of ALL treatment in a relevant, accessible format will be key throughout the NOURISH-ALL intervention adaptation phase.
Family-Based Health Promotion to the Early Phases of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment: A Qualitative Review
Introduction: Excessive weight gain during early phases of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment elevates risk for long-term morbidities, late effects, and secondary cancers. Behavioral factors including physical inactivity and poor diet quality play a significant role in weight outcomes. Existing health behavior and obesity interventions do not address challenges that children and families face during cancer treatment. The current study qualitatively investigated caregiver, child, and multi-disciplinary expert perspectives on health behavior engagement and intervention content for the future adaptation of NOURISH-ALL.
Method: Caregivers (N=11) and youth with ALL (N=6) in the first year of treatment completed semi-structured interviews about barriers to family and child engagement in health behaviors, desired supports around health promotion, and overall intervention format. Multidisciplinary experts also completed semi-structured interviews exploring intervention content and delivery to fit the early ALL treatment setting. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clark’s 6-step framework (2006) to identify themes to aid in future adaptation.
Results: Broadly, caregivers and multidisciplinary experts identified value in providing health behavior education during the early stages of ALL treatment. Treatment side effects alongside caregiver fear and uncertainty were found to be primary barriers to health behavior engagement. Side effects including appetite and weight changes, pain, and general malaise were largely found to lead to increased uncertainty on how best to maintain health behaviors. Notably, endorsed fear and uncertainty resulted in lax parenting styles and caregivers generally following their child’s lead, specifically related to nutrition and activity-based decisions. Regarding format, ensuring the intervention remained relevant and accessible to the family (e.g., flexible telehealth options) was broadly discussed.
Conclusions: Caregivers, children, and medical experts identified the necessity for health behavior intervention development. Providing caregivers with essential support in maintaining health behaviors throughout the early stages of ALL treatment in a relevant, accessible format will be key throughout the NOURISH-ALL intervention adaptation phase.
