Therapeutic play and bone marrow transplantation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Child Life Services
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Long-term hospitalization negatively impacts children's emotional, developmental, and physical health.
• Children undergoing bone marrow transplants require sterile environments and isolation, exacerbating negative effects.
• The O'Connor theoretical framework emphasizes play's role in child health.

Observation:

• A successful play therapy program was implemented in a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.
• A play cabinet was designed to provide readily available, sterilized toys.
• Toys were age-appropriately selected for four distinct age groups.

Findings:

• The play cabinet facilitated a successful play therapy program.
• Case studies demonstrated the efficacy of the play cabinet in play therapy.
• The program addressed the unique needs of hospitalized children.

Implications:

• Play therapy, supported by accessible resources like play cabinets, is crucial for hospitalized children.
• This model can improve the quality of care and outcomes for pediatric patients in isolation.
• Further research into play therapy's benefits in pediatric healthcare settings is warranted.