Pilot Study of Educational Interventions in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors to Increase Knowledge of Donation and Transplantation Procedures

Background:

• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) represents the second most frequent major organ transplant in the United States.
• Pediatric 1st degree stem cell donors can experience a variety of psychological difficulties before and after donation with those who feel they are not adequately prepared for possible complications following stem cell donation and transplant describing negative emotions.
• The importance of preparation for children undergoing medical procedures has long been recognized in the field of pediatric psychology Objectives:
• To assess how prepared pediatric donors are for stem cell donation by assessing their knowledge about stem cell transplants, and to assess their anxiety at different stages of the donation process.
• To assess the effectiveness of a workbook and a board game as tools for conveying information on donation and transplantation to donors.
• To identify donors who may require additional preparation before stem cell collection.
• To explore the relationship between donor knowledge and anxiety symptoms. Eligibility:
• Stem cell donors ages 10 to 26 years of age Design:
• Participant s baseline knowledge and anxiety are evaluated.
• Participant s knowledge is reassessed and anxiety evaluated following an information session with the research nurse and doctor about the procedures for stem cell donation and discussion of the consent form for the transplant protocol.
• Participants are separated into two groups. Donors 10 to 15 years of age play a board game; those 16 to 26 years of age are given a workbook on stem cell transplant.
• Participants knowledge and anxiety are reassessed within 24 hours after working with the educational materials and again 1 month later.