title: Therapeutic play and bone marrow transplantation.
abstract: Constructive, therapeutic play is an essential part of the care of children with long-term hospitalizations. The O'Connor theoretical framework supports the importance of play in ensuring the emotional, developmental, and physical health of children. The negative effects of long-term hospitalization are particularly evident for children who have undergone bone marrow transplants and must be kept in germ-free environment and isolation for extended periods of time. This article describes a successful play therapy program in a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, using a play cabinet designed to provide readily available, sterilized toys that are appropriate for each of four age groups. Two cases are presented that show the efficacy of the use of the play cabinet in play therapy programs.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Orange County, CA, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuntz
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zahr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Killen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wasson
mesh_terms: D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010988:Play and Playthings