The Emotion and Symptom-Focused Engagement (EASE) Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Parents of Children With Acute Leukemia: A Feasibility Trial.

BACKGROUND

Parents of children newly diagnosed with acute leukemia (AL) experience significant traumatic stress that adversely affects their well-being, caregiving capacity, and family functioning. However, rigorous evidence of the feasibility and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for this group remains limited.

AIMS: To evaluate the study feasibility and acceptability of Emotion And Symptom-focused Engagement (EASE), a brief, manualized psychotherapeutic intervention designed to mitigate traumatic stress symptoms in individuals facing a life-threatening illness or in their close family member.

METHODS

This single-arm, pre-post feasibility study recruited parents of children with AL who participated in EASE sessions delivered by trained clinicians. Measures of traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and other psychosocial outcomes were obtained at baseline, 3- and 6-months. Feasibility was assessed based on enrollment, attrition, adherence to EASE, and questionnaire completion rates, with predefined criteria guiding trial progression. Acceptability was evaluated via thematic analysis of qualitative interviews. Descriptive statistics summarized outcome data.

RESULTS

Of 59 parents approached, 40 (68%) enrolled. The study attrition rate was 15%. Participants attended six EASE sessions on average, with 88% receiving the minimum dose of three sessions. Outcome measures were completed by ≥ 78% of participants at each timepoint. Qualitative findings showed that EASE was well-received and provided emotional relief and enhanced coping to parents. Virtual intervention delivery and flexible scheduling facilitated engagement.

CONCLUSION

EASE is a feasible and acceptable intervention for parents of children with newly diagnosed AL, addressing critical caregiver support needs. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to evaluate its efficacy in reducing traumatic stress and improving caregiver well-being.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05236296 ClinicalTrials.gov.