title: A randomized control intervention trial to improve social skills and quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors.
abstract: To determine if a group social skills intervention program improves social competence and quality of life (QOL) in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS).
  
  
  
  We conducted a randomized control trial in which PBTS (8-16 years old, off therapy for over 3 months) were allocated to receive social skills training (eg, cooperation, assertion, using social cognitive problem solving strategies, role playing, games, and arts and crafts) in 8 weekly 2-hour sessions, or an attention placebo control (games and arts and crafts only). Outcomes were self-reported, proxy-reported (caregiver), and teacher-reported using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), to measure social competence, and the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL4.0, generic) to measure QOL at baseline, after intervention, and at 6 months follow-up. At baseline, SSRS were stratified into low and high scores and included as a covariate in the analysis.
  
  
  
  Compared to controls (n = 48), PBTS in the intervention group (n = 43) reported significantly better total and empathy SSRS scores, with improvements persisting at follow-up. The PBTS in the intervention group who had low scores at baseline reported the greatest improvements. Proxy and teacher reports showed no intervention effect.
  
  
  
  Participating in group social skills intervention can improve self-reported social competence that persisted to follow up. The PBTS should be given the opportunity to participate in social skills groups to improve social competence.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Maru
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4079-6686
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Department, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Eshetu G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Atenafu
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cataudella
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strother
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada.
authors.forename: Shayna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zelcer
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hukin
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Hematology/Oncology Division, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McConnell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011340:Problem Solving; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D066107:Social Skills; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: brain tumor survivors; evidence-based practice; oncology; pediatric cancer; randomized controlled trial; social competence; social skills intervention