Parental Perspectives on a Behavioral Health Music Intervention for Adolescent/Young Adult Resilience During Cancer Treatment: Report From the Children's Oncology Group

Abstract

Purpose This paper describes parental perspectives on the helpfulness and meaningfulness of a behavioral health music therapy intervention targeted to adolescents/young adults (AYA) with cancer undergoing stem cell transplantation. We demonstrate how qualitative methods may be used to understand critical aspects of an intervention and mechanisms by which the intervention impacts the target AYA outcomes resilience and quality of life. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used to obtain parents’ perspectives. Maximum variation purposive sampling was used to sample 16 parents whose AYA had been randomized to the intervention group. A semi-structured, open-ended interview was conducted between 100 and 160 days following their AYA’s transplant. Results Results are grouped into three categories: (1) helpfulness and meaningfulness of the intervention to AYA adjustment to the transplantation experience; (2) helpfulness and meaningfulness of the intervention for parents; and (3) AYA ability to participate in the intervention during acute phase of transplantation. Conclusions Parents observed and interacted with their AYA who participated in a targeted, behavioral intervention. Thus parents were able to describe mechanisms through which the intervention was helpful and meaningful for the AYA and indirect personal benefits for themselves. The results suggest the importance of the targeted outcomes identified in the Resilience in Illness Model and mechanisms of action in the Contextual Support Model of Music Therapy and identifies approaches for future study.

Experiences of interventions aiming to improve the mental health and well‐being of children and young people with a long‐term physical condition: A systematic review and meta‐ethnography

“…This perception of safety can help CYP “escape” the stigma and worry associated with their LTC experienced during their daily lives (e.g., Muskat et al, ). This feeling of being unconstrained can be facilitated by activities that distract CYP from the pain or boredom associated with long hospital stays (O'Callaghan, Dun, Baron, & Barry, ;Docherty et al, ) or help them overcome physical limitations associated with their LTC (Gillard & Watts, ). CYP with stigmatized diagnoses such as HIV (e.g., Gillard & Allsop, ) or altered appearances (e.g., Bluebond‐Langer et al, ; Tiemens et al, ) appear to particularly value this release from everyday worries or routine.…”

“…This perception of safety can help CYP "escape" the stigma and worry associated with their LTC experienced during their daily lives (e.g., Muskat et al, 2016). This feeling of being unconstrained can be facilitated by activities that distract CYP from the pain FIGURE 2 Line of argument or boredom associated with long hospital stays (O'Callaghan, Dun, Baron, & Barry, 2013;Docherty et al, 2013) or help them overcome physical limitations associated with their LTC (Gillard & Watts, 2013).…”

Randomized clinical trial of therapeutic music video intervention for resilience outcomes in adolescents/young adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant: A report from the Children's Oncology Group

“…Our ability to flexibly manage intervention delivery in response to AYA symptom distress without jeopardizing treatment integrity was monitored through rigorous quality assurance strategies . Postintervention interviews revealed AYA and parent appreciation for scheduling flexibility that honored AYA needs …”

“…27 Postintervention interviews revealed AYA and parent appreciation for scheduling flexibility that honored AYA needs. 23 There were 4 study limitations. First, risk for bias in condition delivery increased because music therapists delivered both conditions to control for individual therapist qualities and mask data collectors to AYA group assignment.…”

“…[19][20][21] Unlike distraction-based, passive music listening interventions, the TMV uses music to provide 1) predictability through clearly defined goals and structured, preferred music; 2) autonomy support through AYA-directed choices about music, lyric writing, video content, and involvement of others; and 3) relationship building through a nonthreatening, creative activity to help AYAs explore, identify, and express what is important to them (Table 1). 15,[22][23][24][25] As a music therapy intervention, TMV components are delivered within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional. 26 TMV intervention components directly address RIM protective factors by encouraging AYAs to actively engage with their environment (courageous coping); reflect on their experiences and identify what is important (spiritual perspective, social integration, family environment); identify future hopes/desires (hope-derived meaning); involve family, peers, and/or health care providers in their project as desired (social integration, family environment); and communicate ideas to others (social integration, family environment).…”