Testing the Effectiveness of Child and Parent-Targeted Health Promotion Interventions in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation

Treatment Plan: Interventions involve 3 components, Massage Therapy, Humor Therapy, and Relaxation Therapy, as described below: Massage Therapy Patient and parents will meet with a licensed massage therapist at the time of admission. During the session, the therapist will introduce them to the rationale of the massage intervention before moving on to provide the initial massage session. Each session will last approximately 1/2 hour. Massage sessions will be scheduled 3x/week from admission through week +3. Humor Therapy For this component will utilize a humor cart, stocked with humorous video shorts, books, gags, props and games. Relaxation Therapy In the initial session held near the time of admission, parents will meet with the RA therapist, who will describe relaxation response and the benefits of a regular practice of relaxation techniques. They will be led through a modified progressive muscle relaxation induction, using breath awareness and muscle release, followed by guided imagery.