The Psychological Experience of Caregivers of Children With Neuroblastoma Undergoing Naxitamab Treatment: A Qualitative Study in China

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI:10.1111/cch.70145

Yan Xuan, Ziling Ji, Xiaohua Li, Xiao Wang, Yunfei Chen, Wenjing Liang, Lichun Fan, Xiaojing Hu

{"title":"The Psychological Experience of Caregivers of Children With Neuroblastoma Undergoing Naxitamab Treatment: A Qualitative Study in China","authors":"Yan Xuan, Ziling Ji, Xiaohua Li, Xiao Wang, Yunfei Chen, Wenjing Liang, Lichun Fan, Xiaojing Hu","doi":"10.1111/cch.70145","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>Neuroblastoma (NB) is a prevalent malignant tumour affecting children. Due to its insidious onset, malignant nature and poor prognosis, the absence of effective treatments presents a significant challenge, profoundly impacting children and their families. Children embody the core and hope of a family, and when faced with sudden adversity, parents often undergo psychological crises marked by anxiety, depression and severe emotional distress. Fortunately, XXX Hospital serves as a testing ground for novel domestic medications, offering not only therapy but also instilling hope in children with NB and their families. Among these medications, naxitamab (hu3F8) has shown promising efficacy in treating NB. This qualitative study aims to investigate the psychological experiences of caregivers of children with NB undergoing naxitamab treatment at a hospital in China, a specialized institution. Subsequently, tailored psychological support for caregivers will be considered based on the findings.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Method</h3>\n \n <p>Employing phenomenological research techniques, we conducted face-to-face semistructured interviews with 14 caregivers of children diagnosed with NB. Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method was employed to analyse the interview data.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>The psychological experiences of caregivers of children with NB were categorized into three main themes and 11 subthemes: the pretreatment stage (challenges during diagnosis, shock and collapse upon diagnosis and persistent pursuit of hope); the in-treatment stage (treatment-related worries and fears, significant financial strain, renewed hope and expectations during treatment and reliance on medical staff for trust and hope); and the posttreatment stage (changes in perspectives following treatment, rethinking expectations for children, anticipating the development of novel therapeutic agents and expectations regarding financial support).</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>Caregivers of children undergoing naxitamab treatment for NB encounter diverse psychological challenges throughout different stages. It is crucial for clinical medical professionals to provide tailored psychological support to both children and their families during various stages of treatment.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":55262,"journal":{"name":"Child Care Health and Development","volume":"51 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cch.70145","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Child Care Health and Development","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cch.70145","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PEDIATRICS","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a prevalent malignant tumour affecting children. Due to its insidious onset, malignant nature and poor prognosis, the absence of effective treatments presents a significant challenge, profoundly impacting children and their families. Children embody the core and hope of a family, and when faced with sudden adversity, parents often undergo psychological crises marked by anxiety, depression and severe emotional distress. Fortunately, XXX Hospital serves as a testing ground for novel domestic medications, offering not only therapy but also instilling hope in children with NB and their families. Among these medications, naxitamab (hu3F8) has shown promising efficacy in treating NB. This qualitative study aims to investigate the psychological experiences of caregivers of children with NB undergoing naxitamab treatment at a hospital in China, a specialized institution. Subsequently, tailored psychological support for caregivers will be considered based on the findings.

Method

Employing phenomenological research techniques, we conducted face-to-face semistructured interviews with 14 caregivers of children diagnosed with NB. Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method was employed to analyse the interview data.

Results

The psychological experiences of caregivers of children with NB were categorized into three main themes and 11 subthemes: the pretreatment stage (challenges during diagnosis, shock and collapse upon diagnosis and persistent pursuit of hope); the in-treatment stage (treatment-related worries and fears, significant financial strain, renewed hope and expectations during treatment and reliance on medical staff for trust and hope); and the posttreatment stage (changes in perspectives following treatment, rethinking expectations for children, anticipating the development of novel therapeutic agents and expectations regarding financial support).

Conclusion

Caregivers of children undergoing naxitamab treatment for NB encounter diverse psychological challenges throughout different stages. It is crucial for clinical medical professionals to provide tailored psychological support to both children and their families during various stages of treatment.

查看原文本刊更多论文

中国接受纳西他单抗治疗的神经母细胞瘤患儿护理者的心理体验：一项定性研究

神经母细胞瘤是一种常见的儿童恶性肿瘤。由于其发病隐匿、恶性、预后差，缺乏有效的治疗是一项重大挑战，深刻影响着儿童及其家庭。孩子是一个家庭的核心和希望，当面对突如其来的逆境时，父母往往会经历焦虑、抑郁和严重的情绪困扰等心理危机。幸运的是，XXX医院是国内新型药物的试验场，不仅提供治疗，还为NB患儿及其家庭带来希望。在这些药物中，naxitamab （hu3F8）在治疗NB方面显示出良好的疗效。本定性研究旨在调查中国某专科医院接受纳西他单抗治疗的NB患儿护理人员的心理体验。随后，将根据研究结果考虑为照顾者提供量身定制的心理支持。方法采用现象学研究方法，对14名新生儿护理人员进行面对面半结构化访谈。采用Colaizzi的七步分析法对访谈数据进行分析。结果NB患儿照料者的心理体验分为3个主题和11个副主题：前处理阶段（诊断时的挑战、诊断后的震惊和崩溃、对希望的执着追求）；治疗阶段（与治疗有关的担忧和恐惧，严重的经济压力，治疗期间重新燃起希望和期望，依赖医务人员的信任和希望）；以及治疗后阶段（治疗后观点的改变，重新思考对儿童的期望，预测新型治疗药物的发展以及对经济支持的期望）。结论纳西他单抗治疗新生儿的护理人员在不同阶段面临不同的心理挑战。临床医学专业人员在治疗的各个阶段为儿童及其家庭提供量身定制的心理支持至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.