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Storybook Intervention for Parental Stress in Childhood Leukemia

This study is looking at how a storybook called "Who is Luke Eemia?" might help parents of children newly diagnosed with leukemia. When a child is diagnosed with leukemia, it can be a very stressful time for parents. This study compares the storybook, which helps explain leukemia to children, with the usual support parents receive from child life specialists. The main goal is to see if using the storybook can reduce parental stress. You might be able to join if you are a parent or legal guardian of a child aged 3 to 16 who has just been diagnosed with leukemia at CHLA. Participants will complete surveys at three different times to measure their stress levels and comfort, and to see if the storybook helps their child understand their diagnosis better.

Study design
This is a pilot randomized controlled study, meaning participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. It plans to enroll 140 parents.
What's involved
You will complete surveys at three timepoints: before the child life intervention, after the intervention, and about 3.5 months later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will be followed for about 3.5 months after the initial intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06360718

Effects of Using a Storybook, to Explain Leukemia to Children Versus the Standard Child Life Intervention, on Parental Stress.

Recruiting
NAAges 3+InterventionalSupportive care
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
~140 participants
Updated 2025-08-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:"Who is Luke Eemia?" Storybook

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Parental Stress, prior to and following child life intervention
Measured over 10 minutes at each timepoint (30 minutes total over the study).

Conditions

Leukemia

Explore related trials

Leukemia

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Erin Shields, MA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Los Angeles
  • Kaitlin Bennett · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Los Angeles
  • Mandy Flores · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Who to contact

Erin Shields, MA
[email protected]
323-361-3630
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Parent/Legal Guardian of a child a. who is school-aged (3-16 years old) with a new leukemia diagnosis b. with a new leukemia diagnosis who is not school-aged but is a sibling of a school-aged child (\<3 years or \>16 years old).
Parent/legal guardian is able to speak, read, and write English or Spanish, and give informed consent 3. Parent/legal guardian is over 18 years of age.

Exclusion

Their school-aged children have developmental or cognitive delays, and/or other chronic illnesses.
Their school-aged child does not give assent to participate.

What this trial measures

  • Parental Stress, prior to and following child life intervention10 minutes at each timepoint (30 minutes total over the study).

    All participating parents/legal guardians will be given the Parenting Stress Index -4 Short Form \[PSI™-4-SF\] at baseline (before child life intervention), discharge (about 1 week following the child life intervention for extended admissions), and about 3.5 months after the initial survey. The PSI™-4-SF form is a 36-item scale, available in English and Spanish. The form is broken into two domains (child and parent). The questions in the Parent Domain look at identifying sources of stress.