Animation-Based Education to Reduce Child and Parent Anxiety During Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation (Cartoon-HSCT)

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Animation-Based Educational Video: The intervention consists of an animation-based educational video specifically designed to prepare children and their parents for the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process. The video lasts approximately 6-8 minutes and uses a simple storyline, colorful visuals, and child-friendly language to explain the HSCT procedure. The aim is to help children and parents understand what will happen during the transplant process, reduce uncertainty, and minimize anxiety associated with the procedure. The video is shown to the child and their accompanying parent on the day of hospital admission (pre-transplant period) and again on the morning of transplantation to reinforce learning and provide emotional reassurance. It differs from other educational interventions by combining visual storytelling, emotional regulation cues, and simple medical explanations presented in a friendly animated format that is specifically developed for pediatric HSCT patients.

Control Group: Standard Verbal Education: The control condition consists of standard verbal education routinely provided to children and their parents before the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) procedure. The education is delivered by the researcher using simple, age-appropriate language and covers basic information about the stem sell infusion. The verbal session lasts approximately 6-8 minutes and allows parents to ask questions and clarify details about the treatment process. The aim is to provide information about the procedure in a supportive manner while maintaining the usual clinical communication style. The verbal education is given to the child and accompanying parent on the day of hospital admission and repeated on the morning of transplantation. This approach represents the routine standard of care for pre-transplant patient education in pediatric HSCT units.

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of animation-based education on state anxiety levels of children and parents and on parental satisfaction with health care during the pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does animation-based education reduce children's state anxiety before HSCT compared to standard verbal education? Does animation-based education reduce parental state anxiety and increase parental satisfaction with the care process?

Researchers will compare children and parents who receive animation-based education with those who receive routine verbal education to see if the animation-based intervention leads to lower anxiety scores and higher satisfaction levels.

Participants will:

Watch a short age-appropriate animated video explaining the HSCT procedure in a positive and understandable way (intervention group), or receive standard verbal information (control group).

Complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessing child and parent state anxiety levels and parental satisfaction with care.

The study includes children aged 4-10 years who are hospitalized for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and their accompanying parents.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Child State Anxiety — Baseline (before intervention, prior to HSCT) Immediately after the intervention procedure (same day, after HSCT)
  The primary outcome is the change in children's state anxiety levels measured before and after the educational intervention. Anxiety will be assessed using Children's Anxiety Meter-State, CAM-S. The scale is a visual analog tool designed in the shape of a vertical thermometer and is graded from 0 (no anxiety at all) to 10 (very high anxiety). Measurements will be taken on the day of hospital admission (baseline) and in the morning of transplantation (after the second educational session). The outcome will be calculated as the mean difference in anxiety scores (post-pre) between the animation-based education group and the standard verbal education group.

Trial sites (1)

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