Exploring sleep-wake experiences of mothers during maintenance therapy for their child's acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
A qualitative study was designed to explore sleep-wake experience of mothers of children in maintenance treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants using open-ended, semi-structured questions and were transcribed verbatim. Two main themes emerged: "It's a whole new cancer world" and "I don't remember what it's like to have sleep." Mothers experience difficulty sleeping during their children's treatment, and expressed several serious issues. Although the mothers were able to employ various mechanisms to address sleep deprivation and disruption, interventions such as social support, journaling, spiritual guidance, and/or self-talk may be most beneficial.
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, Aurora, CO. Electronic address: Madalynn.neu@ucdenver.edu.
Madalynn
M
Neu
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, Aurora, CO.
Ellyn
E
Matthews
University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, CO.
Nancy A
NA
King
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014956:Writing
ALL; Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia; Maintenance Treatment; Sleep; Stress