title: Digital storytelling: an innovative legacy-making intervention for children with cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the feasibility of a legacy-making intervention in children with cancer and the preliminary effects on outcomes related to quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children (N = 28) ages 7-17 years completed a baseline QOL questionnaire (PedsQL) at T1. After baseline, the intervention group (n = 15) completed a randomized intervention that guided children to answer questions about legacy-making and create a digital story about themselves. A final copy of the digital story was provided to the families. A control group (n = 13) received customary care. Children repeated the questionnaire at T2. Parents (N = 22) of children who completed the intervention completed follow-up survey questions regarding intervention effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Feasibility was strong (78% participation; 1 attrition). While differences between the groups in physical, emotional, social, or school functioning change was not statistically significant, the intervention group showed slightly better emotional and school functioning compared to controls. Parents reported that their child's digital story provided emotional comfort to them (n = 11, 46%), facilitated communication between parents and children (n = 9, 38%), and was a coping strategy for them (n = 4, 17%). Parents reported that the intervention helped children express their feelings (n = 19, 79%), cope (n = 6, 27%), and feel better emotionally (n = 5, 23%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our intervention is feasible for children with cancer, is developmentally appropriate for children 7-17 years of age, and demonstrates promise to improve quality of life outcomes for children with cancer and their parents.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Terrah Foster
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Akard
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Pamela S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Given
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gilmer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: cancer; children; digital storytelling; legacy-making; parent caregivers; pediatric oncology; quality of life