WeChat-platform-based education and care program as a candidate approach to relieve anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of pediatric and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma

Abstract

BackgroundWeChat is the main social platform in China, characterized by its versatility and ease of communication. This study aimed to explore the effect of a WeChat-platform-based education and care (WBEC) program on relieving anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in parents of pediatric and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma.MethodsIn total, 48 patients and 86 parents were enrolled in this randomized, controlled study and then assigned to the WBEC program (24 patients and 45 parents) and the usual education and care (UEC) program (22 patients and 41 parents) for 6 months as a 1:1 ratio.ResultsParents in the WBEC group had lower Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety (HADS-A) scores at M3 (7.8 ± 2.2 vs. 9.1 ± 2.5; p = 0.010) and M6 (7.7 ± 2.5 vs. 8.9 ± 2.4; p = 0.027) when compared to the UEC group, while anxiety rate was only decreased at M3 (43.2% vs. 63.4%; p = 0.049) in the WBEC group. Meanwhile, parental HADS for depression (HADS-D) scores were reduced at M3 (7.0 ± 2.0 vs. 8.0 ± 2.1; p = 0.047) and M6 (7.1 ± 1.9 vs. 8.0 ± 2.4; p = 0.045) in the WBEC group when compared with the UEC group; while depression rate remained the same. Parental Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) scores were slightly reduced among the WBEC group at M6 when compared with the UEC group [12.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 10.0–20.8] vs. 15.0 (IQR: 9.5–25.0; p = 0.077)], but not statistically significant.ConclusionWeChat-platform-based education and care is considered a feasible intervention to reduce anxiety and depression in parents of pediatric and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma, while also providing mild relief from PTSD.

The influence of WeChat education and care program on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and general state of health in parents of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

“…There were several possible explanations: (1) WECP strengthened psychological education for parents through the online public account, which enabled parents to understand their mental problems conveniently and take corresponding measures timely (Hu et al 2021 ). (2) WECP provided a platform for parents to consult nurses one-on-one when they encountered psychological issues, and the pressure might be relieved effectively under the guidance of nurses (Ma C et al 2021 ; Wu et al 2022 ). (3) WECP promoted communication among parents, which made parents share learning experiences, release negative emotions, and gain encouragement from each other (Luo et al 2019 ).…”

“…WeChat-based education and care program offers a promising nursing mode through the network platform, which addresses the spatial and temporal limitations of medical services (Xu et al 2021 ; Wang Z et al 2023 ). Notably, the application of WeChat-based education and care programs in the field of parents of child patients has been vastly explored (Yang et al 2021 ; Wu et al 2022 ). For example, one study illustrates that a WeChat-platform-based education and care program is effective in decreasing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of pediatric and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma (Wu et al 2022 ).…”

“…Notably, the application of WeChat-based education and care programs in the field of parents of child patients has been vastly explored (Yang et al 2021 ; Wu et al 2022 ). For example, one study illustrates that a WeChat-platform-based education and care program is effective in decreasing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of pediatric and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma (Wu et al 2022 ). Another study suggests that WeChat follow-up management achieves the reduction of anxiety and depression, as well as the improvement of quality of life in parents of premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus (Yang et al 2021 ).…”

Reducing anxiety and improving self-acceptance in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma through group drawing art therapy

“…Children and adolescent patients with osteosarcoma are more prone to anxiety due to their high degree of disease malignancy, rapid growth, early metastasis, poor prognosis, limb deformity, and pain ( Lewandowska et al, 2021 ; Wu et al, 2022 ). Drawing therapy can use non-verbal visual arts to deeply explore individual emotions, touch patients’ inner subconscious, and correct unpleasant emotional experiences.…”

“…Osteosarcoma is a severe teratogenic and fatal disease that occurs mainly in children and adolescents ( Tian et al, 2020 ). Compared to patients with other non-teratogenic cancers, children and adolescents with osteosarcoma are bound to suffer greater psychological stress and may be more prone to psychological abnormalities ( Lewandowska et al, 2021 ; Wu et al, 2022 ).…”