Camp programs for children with cancer and their families: review of research progress over the past decade

Alexandra Martiniuk; Mariana Silva; Michael Amylon; Ronald Barr

doi:10.1002/pbc.24912

Camp programs for children with cancer and their families: review of research progress over the past decade

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 May;61(5):778-87. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24912. Epub 2014 Jan 7.

Authors

Alexandra Martiniuk¹, Mariana Silva, Michael Amylon, Ronald Barr

Affiliation

¹ The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 24395392
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24912

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted of studies (2001-2013) about therapeutic recreation/camp for children with cancer and/or their family which measured either process or outcome variables qualitatively or quantitatively. Of 581 titles, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Research demonstrates positive impacts of camp on: cancer knowledge, mood, self-concept, empathy, and friendship, quality of life, and emotional well-being. This recent decade of research illuminates nuances in camp outcomes, which previously were unexplored. For instance, changes following camp do not necessarily occur in a linear, positive fashion and varying outcomes were observed by camper subgroup depending on age, culture, and treatment status.

Keywords: camping; coping; pediatric oncology; psychosocial; support program; therapeutic recreation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research*
Camping / psychology*
Family / psychology*
Humans
Neoplasms / psychology*
Neoplasms / rehabilitation*
Social Support