Report from a multi-institutional randomized clinical trial examining computer-assisted problem-solving skills training for English- and Spanish-speaking mothers of children with newly diagnosed cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA)-based supplement for maternal Problem-Solving Skills Training (PSST) and to explore Spanish-speaking mothers' experiences with it.


METHODS
Mothers (n = 197) of children with newly diagnosed cancer were randomized to traditional PSST or PSST + PDA 8-week programs. Participants completed the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Profile of Mood States, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised pre-, post-treatment, and 3 months after completion of the intervention. Mothers also rated optimism, logic, and confidence in the intervention and technology.


RESULTS
Both groups demonstrated significant positive change over time on all psychosocial measures. No between-group differences emerged. Despite technological "glitches," mothers expressed moderately high optimism, appreciation for logic, and confidence in both interventions and rated the PDA-based program favorably. Technology appealed to all Spanish-speaking mothers, with younger mothers showing greater proficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Well-designed, supported technology holds promise for enhancing psychological interventions.
Askins
Martha A
MA
Department of Pediatrics, Unit 87, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA. maskins@mdanderson.org
Sahler
Olle Jane Z
OJ
Sherman
Sandra A
SA
Fairclough
Diane L
DL
Butler
Robert W
RW
Katz
Ernest R
ER
Dolgin
Michael J
MJ
Varni
James W
JW
Noll
Robert B
RB
Phipps
Sean
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms; D011340:Problem Solving; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome