Funcionamiento psicosocial e intervenciones psicológicas en niños con cáncer

Abstract

The aim of this article is to offer a global and updated view of the results obtained from the two main investigation paths concerning paediatric psycho-oncology for the last years: child’s psychological adjustment to the disease and its treatment and the effectiveness of psychological interventions. Regarding the fi rst subject, the results clearly show that children adapt especially well to cancer-related circumstances. Regarding the second subject, it can be said that the psychological methods used to reduce procedural related pain and distress are widely supported by evidence; however, it is distraction and breathing techniques that offer the best cost-effectiveness ratio and are easier to implement in health services. Lastly, evidence shows that psychological strategies used in other areas (psychological support for the family when facing the diagnosis or back to school programmes for children) are not as conclusive as there are less controlled studies.