Physical, Psychological and Social Symptoms, Activity and Education of Children and Adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Receiving Maintenance Chemotherapy

Purpose: This study was to identify the physical, psychological and social symptoms of ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) children and adolescents receiving maintenance chemotherapy to build a basic data set to produce effective nursing intervention and ultimately help their early return to school and social adaptation. Methods: Fifty ALL children and adolescents between 4 and 18, who were receiving maintenance chemotherapy were surveyed on days 2, 7, and 28. For younger children, between the age of 4 and the 3rd year in elementary school, their primary caregivers answered the survey and those between the 4th year in elementary school and the age of 18 answered the survey themselves. Results: During maintenance chemotherapy, ALL children and adolescents experience diverse physical, psychological and social symptoms. On days 7 and 28, physical and social symptoms were greater than physical symptoms. Physical symptoms were greatest on day 2 and the most psychological and social symptoms were observed on day 7. During the maintenance chemotherapy period, 40% of the children and adolescents could not attend regular educational institutions. Conclusion: Since each point in the maintenance chemotherapy period shows different symptomatic characteristics, nursing intervention can be provided appropriately for each specific point to help the patients’ social adaptation and early return to school.