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Wolters PL, Ghriwati NA, Baker M, Martin S, Berg D, Erickson G, Franklin B, Merker VL, Oberlander B, Reeve S, Rohl C, Rosser T, Vranceanu AM. Perspectives of adults with neurofibromatosis regarding the design of psychosocial trials: Results from an anonymous online survey. Clin Trials 2024; 21:73-84. [PMID: 37962219 PMCID: PMC10922214 DOI: 10.1177/17407745231209224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Individuals with neurofibromatosis, including neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)-related schwannomatosis (SWN), and other forms of SWN, often experience disease manifestations and mental health difficulties for which psychosocial interventions may help. An anonymous online survey of adults with neurofibromatosis assessed their physical, social, and emotional well-being and preferences about psychosocial interventions to inform clinical trial design. METHODS Neurofibromatosis clinical researchers and patient representatives from the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis International Collaboration developed the survey. Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 18 years, self-reported diagnosis of NF1, NF2, or SWN, and ability to read and understand English. The online survey was distributed internationally by the Neurofibromatosis Registry and other neurofibromatosis foundations from June to August 2020. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 630 adults (18-81 years of age; M = 45.5) with NF1 (78%), NF2 (14%), and SWN (8%) who were mostly White, not Hispanic/Latino, female, and from the United States. The majority (91%) reported that their neurofibromatosis symptoms had at least some impact on daily life. In the total sample, 51% endorsed a mental health diagnosis, and 27% without a diagnosis believed they had an undiagnosed mental health condition. Participants indicated that neurofibromatosis affected their emotional (44%), physical (38%), and social (35%) functioning to a high degree. Few reported ever having participated in a drug (6%) or psychosocial (7%) clinical trial, yet 68% reported they "probably" or "definitely" would want to participate in a psychosocial trial if it targeted a relevant concern. Top treatment targets were anxiety, healthier lifestyle, and daily stress. Top barriers to participating in psychosocial trials were distance to clinic, costs, and time commitment. Respondents preferred interventions delivered by clinicians via individual sessions or a combination of group and individual sessions, with limited in-person and mostly remote participation. There were no significant group differences by neurofibromatosis type in willingness to participate in psychosocial trials (p = 0.27). Regarding interest in intervention targets, adults with SWN were more likely to prefer psychosocial trials for pain support compared to those with NF1 (p < 0.001) and NF2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study conducted the largest survey assessing physical symptoms, mental health needs, and preferences for psychosocial trials in adults with neurofibromatosis. Results indicate a high prevalence of disease manifestations, psychosocial difficulties, and untreated mental health problems in adults with neurofibromatosis and a high degree of willingness to participate in psychosocial clinical trials. Patient preferences should be considered when designing and implementing psychosocial interventions to develop the most feasible and meaningful studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela L Wolters
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nour Al Ghriwati
- Clinical Research Directorate (CRD), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Melissa Baker
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dale Berg
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, Children's Tumor Foundation Volunteer Leadership Program, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gregg Erickson
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, NF Network, Wheaton, IL, USA
| | - Barbara Franklin
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - Vanessa L Merker
- Department of Neurology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Beverly Oberlander
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, NF Network, Wheaton, IL, USA
| | - Stephanie Reeve
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, Fishers, IN, USA
| | - Claas Rohl
- REiNS International Collaboration Patient Representative, NF Kinder, NF Patients United, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tena Rosser
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Kelly KJ, Doucet S, Luke A, Azar R, Montelpare W. Experiences, Motivations, and Perceived Impact of Participation in a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2022; 5:e33172. [PMID: 35793139 PMCID: PMC9301556 DOI: 10.2196/33172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers of children and youth with complex care needs (CCNs) often require considerable support to ensure the well-being of their families. Social media present an opportunity to better support caregivers through computer-mediated communication for social support. Peer-to-peer (P2P) support groups are a way in which caregivers are accessing needed support; however, the experiences of caregivers who use these groups and the perceived impact that participation has on caregivers of children and youth with CCNs are not known. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers of children and youth with CCNs who use a Facebook-based P2P support group to communicate, understand their motivations to use the group, and investigate its perceived impact on knowledge of programs and services and sense of community belonging among caregivers. METHODS A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the experiences and perceived impact of a Facebook-based (Meta Platforms) P2P support group for caregivers of children and youth with CCNs in New Brunswick, Canada. The group was launched on the web in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resulted in 108 caregivers joining the group. A web-based survey was distributed, and semistructured interviews were conducted in February 2021 with a subsample of members. Thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns related to caregivers' experiences and perceived impacts of participation. RESULTS A subsample of members in the Facebook group completed the web-based survey (39/108, 36.1%) and interviews (14/108, 12.9%). A total of 5 themes emerged from the interviews: safe space, informational support and direction, web-based connection with peers, impact on knowledge of programs and services, and degree of community belonging. Participants reported joining the group to obtain geography-specific information support and connect with peers. Many participants reported an improvement in their knowledge of programs and services and felt connected to the community; however, the short observation period and diversity among the caregiver population were cited as barriers to community belonging. CONCLUSIONS Social media present an important opportunity to facilitate the exchange of support between patients and caregivers in an accessible and curated environment. Findings from this study suggest that involvement in web-based, geography-specific P2P support groups can influence perceived knowledge of services and resources and sense of community belonging among caregivers of children and youth with CCNs. Furthermore, this study provides insight into the experiences and motivations of caregivers of children and youth with CCNs who participate in a private social media environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Jennifer Kelly
- Health Centred Research Clinic, Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Shelley Doucet
- Centre for Research in Integrated Care, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick Saint John, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Alison Luke
- Centre for Research in Integrated Care, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick Saint John, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Rima Azar
- Psychobiology of Stress & Health Lab, Department of Psychology, Mount Alison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - William Montelpare
- Health Centred Research Clinic, Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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Kelly KJ, Doucet S, Luke A, Azar R, Montelpare W. Exploring the Use of a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2022; 5:e33170. [PMID: 35671082 PMCID: PMC9214619 DOI: 10.2196/33170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers of children and youth with complex care needs (CCN) require substantial support to ensure the well-being of their families. Web-based peer-to-peer (P2P) support groups present an opportunity for caregivers to seek and provide timely informational and emotional support. Despite the widespread use of social media for health-related support across diverse patient and caregiver populations, it is unclear how caregivers of children and youth with CCN use and potentially benefit from these groups. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore the use of a web-based P2P support group for caregivers of children and youth with CCN in New Brunswick, Canada, and investigate factors related to its use by members. METHODS The study sample consisted of individuals who joined a closed Facebook group and an analysis of content published to the group. In phase 1, a Facebook group was developed in consultation with a patient and family advisory council, and members were recruited to the group. Phase 2 of this study consisted of an observation period during which posts and related interactions (ie, likes, loves, and comments) by members were collected. In phase 3, a web-based survey was distributed, and semistructured interviews were conducted with a subsample of group members. Survey and interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 108 caregivers joined the Facebook group between October 2020 and March 2021. There were 93 posts with 405 comments and 542 associated interactions (448/542, 82.7% likes and 94/542, 17.3% loves). Of these 93 posts, 37 (40%) were made by group members, and 56 (60%) were made by moderators. Of the 108 members, a subsample of 39 (36.1%) completed a web-based survey, and 14 (13%) participated in the interviews. Content analyses of posts by members revealed that inquiry (17/37, 46%), informational (15/37, 41%), and emotional posts (4/37, 11%) were the most common. Emotional posts received the highest number of interactions (median 24.5). In total, 5 themes emerged from the interviews related to the use of the group and mediating factors of interactions between group members: resource for information, altruistic contribution, varying level of engagement, perceived barriers to and facilitators of group activity, and moderators as contributing members. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that caregivers of children and youth with CCN seek geography-specific P2P support groups to meet informational and social support needs. This study contributes to the knowledge on how caregivers use Facebook groups to meet their support needs through moderate and passive engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Jennifer Kelly
- Health Centred Research Clinic, Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Shelley Doucet
- Centre for Research in Integrated Care, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick Saint John, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Alison Luke
- Centre for Research in Integrated Care, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick Saint John, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Rima Azar
- Psychobiology of Stress & Health Lab, Department of Psychology, Mount Alison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - William Montelpare
- Health Centred Research Clinic, Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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Supporting caregivers during hematopoietic cell transplantation for children with primary immunodeficiency disorders. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 143:2271-2278. [PMID: 31178019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers of children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) experience significant psychological distress during their child's hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) process. OBJECTIVES This study aims to understand caregiver challenges and identify areas for health care system-level improvements to enhance caregiver well-being. METHODS In this mixed-methods study caregivers of children with PIDs were contacted in August to November 2017 through online and electronic mailing lists of rare disease consortiums and foundations. Caregivers were invited to participate in an online survey assessing sociodemographic variables, the child's medical characteristics, psychosocial support use, and the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. Open-ended questions about health care system improvements were included. Descriptive statistics and linear multivariate regression analyses were conducted. A modified content analysis method was used to code responses and identify emergent themes. RESULTS Among the 80 caregiver respondents, caregivers had a median age of 34 years (range, 23-62 years) and were predominantly female, white, and married with male children given a diagnosis of severe combined immune deficiency. In the adjusted regression model lower caregiver well-being was significantly associated with lower household income and medical complications. Challenges during HCT include maintaining relationships with partners and the child's healthy sibling or siblings, managing self-care, and coping with feelings of uncertainty. Caregivers suggested several organizational-level solutions to enhance psychosocial support, including respite services, online connections to other PID caregivers, and bedside mental health services. CONCLUSIONS Certain high-risk subpopulations of caregivers might need more targeted psychosocial support to reduce the long-term effect of the HCT experience on their well-being. Caregivers suggested several organizational-level solutions for provision of this support.
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Martin S, Struemph KL, Poblete A, Toledo-Tamula MA, Lockridge R, Roderick MC, Wolters P. An Internet support group for parents of children with neurofibromatosis type 1: a qualitative analysis. J Community Genet 2018; 9:327-334. [PMID: 29500624 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-018-0360-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Parents of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a rare genetic condition, are at risk for emotional distress. While they may benefit from support groups, they may find it difficult to access support. We conducted an 8-week Internet support group (ISG) with 33 parents (29 mothers, 4 fathers) of children with NF1. Transcripts were evaluated using inductive thematic analysis to determine parental needs and concerns; a process and content theme were identified, with each containing codes and subcodes. In terms of process, parents utilized the ISG to seek out information, share information and experiences, and provide and receive emotional support. Common content codes included medical concerns, psychosocial/cognitive development, and accessing NF1 community resources. These concerns highlight the importance of providing parents with reliable information about their child's condition, providing multidisciplinary support to the children with NF1 and their families, and encouraging involvement in the NF1 community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA.
| | - Kari L Struemph
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA
| | - Alyssa Poblete
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA
| | - Mary Anne Toledo-Tamula
- Clinical Research Directorate/Clinical Monitoring Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., NCI Campus at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Robin Lockridge
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA
| | - Marie Claire Roderick
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA
| | - Pamela Wolters
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8200, USA
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Akre C, Polvinen J, Ullrich NJ, Rich M. Children’s at Home: Pilot Study Assessing Dedicated Social Media for Parents of Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. J Genet Couns 2018; 27:505-517. [DOI: 10.1007/s10897-018-0213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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