PEDAL PhD student Paulina Perez-Duarte Mendiola contributed to this paper which was published last month in the Psycho-oncology section of Frontiers in Psychology.
Background
In May-June 2024, the Italian Associations of Volunteers Against Cancer (Associazione Nazionale Volontari Lotta contro i Tumori, ANVOLT) promoted a five-lesson course entitled “Play and Therapy: Supporting Oncological Children through the Play-Based Approaches.” This interdisciplinary course was part of the project “Pathways of support for children and adolescents in an onco-haematological context: Assistance, Research, and Education” funded by the Ministry of Work and Social Politics.
Summary
In this paper, the main insights emerging from the course are synthetised, discussed and shared with the scientific community:
- The biopsychosocial approach: Emphasising the importance of viewing children with cancer holistically—treating not just the physical, but also the emotional and psychological aspects of their wellbeing.
- Therapeutic Play: How play is not just fun but essential for reducing the trauma of hospitalization, lowering anxiety, and helping children build emotional resilience during their treatment.
- mHealth Innovations: The growing role of digital tools, like mHealth applications, in integrating play into therapy—offering new ways to empower and engage young patients.
- Gender Stereotypes in Play: Overcoming traditional gender roles in play-based therapy, ensuring that all children—regardless of gender—receive the support and empowerment they need.
By integrating these insights into paediatric oncology care, we can offer a more compassionate and holistic support for children with cancer and their families.
Summary written by primary author Giulia Perasso as part of this Linked In article.
The paper was published in Psycho-oncology section of Frontiers in Psychology on 29 January 2025. The full article can be found here.