Behavioral Parenting Skills as a Novel Target for Improving Pediatric Medication Adherence in Children Aged 3 to 9 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the CareMeds program, a behavioral parenting skills intervention, to improve medication adherence among families of young children aged 3 to 9 years diagnosed with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to assess the feasibility of the intervention and gather preliminary data on its effects on behavioral parenting skills and medication adherence. The study compares the CareMeds program to usual care to understand its potential benefits in supporting families managing home-based oral anti-cancer medications. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: the CareMeds intervention group or the usual care group. Those in the CareMeds group complete three parent training sessions during weeks 2, 3, and 4 of the study. The usual care group receives standard medical consultations and supportive care, with the same three parent training sessions offered later during weeks 13 through 15 as a delayed intervention. This design allows comparison of outcomes between the two approaches over the study period. During the study, researchers assess feasibility by tracking completion of the CareMeds sessions over up to three years. They also evaluate behavioral parenting skills at weeks 1, 4, and 12, as well as oral chemotherapy adherence up to week 12. Families participate through training sessions and follow-up assessments, with data collection focused on understanding the intervention's impact on medication management and parent behaviors. The total study participation spans several months to allow for thorough evaluation of both intervention feasibility and preliminary effectiveness.

Behavioral Parenting Skills as a Novel Target for Improving Pediatric Medication Adherence: Study 3