Supporting Executive Function during kids’ cancer treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of parental views regarding a play-based intervention for supporting neurodevelopment in preschool aged children receiving systemic cancer therapy
IRAS ID
360664
Contact name
Anna Mary Rose
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Learning and development issues can sometimes arise for pre-school aged children undergoing cancer treatment. We are not yet certain if this due to the disease itself, a side-effect of cancer treatments, a consequence of time spent in hospital - or a combination of these factors. Regardless of the cause, our aim is to find a new way to support the learning and development of pre-school age children with cancer.
In this research, we will work with children receiving treatments for several forms of cancer, including blood cancers, bone tumours and abdominal tumours – but we will not include children with brain tumours. We will work with affected children who are receiving treatment with anti-cancer medicines such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Other researchers have made a series of developmentally orientated games specifically designed to boost children’s learning and development. These games have been tested in children in good health - but who are at risk of having learning difficulties due to socioeconomic circumstances. The games have have been proven to help with a set of skills termed ‘executive function’ which include memory, planning and self-control. Executive function is one of the areas of learning and development which is most affected in children with cancer – and so we think that these developmentally designed games will also be of benefit to young children receiving cancer therapy.
As part of a play-based intervention for children being treated for cancer, we want to offer parents these games to play with their child, as well as instructions and support to maximise effectivity. However, before we can do this, we first need to gather parents’ views, to identify any potential barriers or issues. To do this, we will interview 20 families with lived-experience of a child receiving cancer therapy. We will about their experiences of play, learning and development whilst their child is/was undergoing cancer treatment. We will also ask about what kind of play and learning support they would have liked and what they think would have benefited their child most.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
26/WA/0027
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion