Name of the project
- Promoting Treatment Adherence in Child and Adolescent Cancer
Project abstract/brief description
- Scientific evidence suggests that many children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) do not take their medication in accord with their prescribed treatment regimens. Such nonadherence may have undesirable clinical and scientific consequences such as:(1) mortality and morbidity due to relapse; and (2) problems in the validity of data concerning clinical trials of medication treatment. However, there are little scientific data concerning the efficacy of psychological interventions that have been designed to limit the prevalence and impact of nonadherence to ALL treatment. To address this important scientific need, this study will conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) with 170 children and adolescents with ALL or LBL to evaluate a family centered, problem-solving intervention (FPST) to promote adherence to oral medication treatment. This problem solving intervention will be compared with current psychological/psychosocial care.
The proposed intervention model is novel in its integration of three key components derived from theory and research on adherence to treatment with pediatric illnesses. These are: 1) training in collaborative problem solving and effective parent-adolescent communication to reduce barriers that interfere with adherence to oral medication treatment; 2) promotion of the child’s/adolescent’s active participation in and motivation for the management of ALL or LBL therapy; 3) emphasis on parental support and child/adolescent adherence to treatment that is consistent with the developmental needs of the child/adolescent.
The primary hypothesis of the proposed study is as follows: a family-centered problem solving intervention will result in improved adherence to prescribed oral medication 6MP among children and adolescents with ALL or LBL compared with current Psychosocial Care. We anticipate that the proposed study will identify effective strategies to promote adherence among children and adolescents with ALL or LBL that may potentially lead to improved medical outcomes for these children and adolescents.
Name of Principal Investigator
Department/division/center/school in which the project is based
- HOPE Research program at Chldrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Primary institution in which this project is based
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
Name and email address for the Project Director / Manager, or person responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of this project
If we were to request additional information about this project, please provide the name of the person to contact and his/her email address
- Other (NAME / EMAIL)
- Brenda Quinonez/ bquinonez@chla.usc.edu
Are there any Co-Investigators on this project?
Please name all Co-Investigators and their institutional affiliation
Which, if any, of the following institutions are you partnering with for this project?
For each partner institution listed, please indicate the specific department / division / institute / center with which you are partnering
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia- Joseph Stokes Junior Research Institute
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh- Western Psychiatric Institute
Children’s Hospital of Dallas- Chase Building
Are you collaborating with any other academic, clinical or community organizations on this project?
List any academic, clinical and / or community organizations with which you are collaborating. Please include each partner organization's location
Which institutional IRBs have reviewed and approved this project?
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
Which of the following best characterizes the agency(ies) funding this project? (IF THIS IS A SUBCONTRACT, PLEASE IDENTIFY THE CORE FUNDING SOURCE, e.g., NIH, CDC, etc.)
- Federal - NIH (please specify BRANCH)
What year does / did funding begin?
What year does/did funding end?
Which of the following best describes the project's thematic focus?
- Health and psychosocial outcomes
In what context do your project activities (e.g. data collection) take place?
- Clinic or other ambulatory healthcare setting
- Hospital/in-patient setting
How would you classify this project?
Please indicate which of the following best characterizes the type of research you are conducting?
- Behavioral/social research
- Intervention/service evaluation research
Which of the following best characterizes your study design?
What type of data collection methods are used?
- Surveys
- Collection of specific clinical data
- Chart/electronic medical record review
Which services does your program provide?
How many participants will be/were recruited to participate in your research or service program over the funding/study period?
Which of the following best describe the population this project targets?
Which of the following best describes the age groups this project targets?
- Infants/children (0-11 years)
- Adolescents (12-18 years)
Which of the following best describes the racial/ethnic characteristics of the project participants?
Please provide any additional characteristics of your project participants that are specific to the goals of the project, e.g., low-income, un-insured, incarcerated, pregnant/parenting teens, populations with disabilities, specific conditions, etc.
- Children diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
Which of the following best describes the location(s) in which this project takes/took place?
In which LA County Service Planning Area (SPA) do/did your project activities take place?
In which locations outside LA County do your project activities take place?
- California counties bordering LA County: (please specify)
Does this project have an advisory board?
How often does your advisory board meet?
Please indicate which of the following best describes the membership of this project's advisory board?
Which of the following best describe the type of guidance your advisory group provides for your project?
In what ways, if any, has your project disseminated information about your project, including findings and lessons learned?
Which dissemination activities do you/did you find to be most effective?