Population and Sample
The original longitudinal prospective study examined the QOL of children with cancer receiving Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) and was conducted at a large pediatric cancer center in the western United States treating approximately 250 new oncology patients annually. The study was approved by the university’s Institutional Review Board and the cancer center’s Protocol Review and Monitoring System. About half of the new patients each year were anticipated to fit the inclusion criteria. Eligibility criteria for inclusion in the original study were a) English-speaking oncology patients (due to the use of published study tools), b) ages 3 to 18 years, and c) currently receiving chemotherapy. Patients who had previously attended two or more CAT sessions were excluded.
Eligible patients were identified by the study team. The study was explained to the patient/family, and the principal investigator (PI) or the research assistant obtained informed consent from the caregiver and informed assent from children over 7 years of age. Further details of the original study are reported elsewhere (manuscript under review).