Impact of Supportive Care Interventions on Quality of Life in Pediatric Hematologic Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract: Supportive care is employed in pediatric hematology to improve children’s quality of life (QoL). This study explores the impact of supportive care modalities on the QoL in pediatric hematologic disorders. Studies were searched from online databases and selected against predetermined eligibility criteria. A random-effects subgroup meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) at 95% confidence interval. Subgroups were based on physical, emotional, familial/social, and scholarly functionalities. Six studies met the requirements for inclusion. The meta-analysis reported a significant change in QoL when comparing initial QoL scores to final QoL scores (SMD −1.11 [−1.54, −0.68], P < 0.00001). When compared to a control standard treatment, the impact of these interventions lacks significance (SMD −0.01 [−0.67, 0.65] [P = 0.97]). Included studies explored interventions such as group creative art therapy, social support, adapted physical activity, and nurse-led interventions (custom). Standard hospital care and supportive care interventions have a relatively similar impact on the QoL of children hematologic patients.