Effect of Recreational Play Activities on Anxiety in Children Receiving Chemotherapy and Their Parents

This single-group pretest-posttest study evaluated changes in anxiety levels among children undergoing inpatient chemotherapy and their parents following nurse-led recreational play activities. Thirty-one child-parent pairs completed the study. Child anxiety was assessed using the Children's State Anxiety Scale, and parent anxiety was assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory Form-I immediately before and immediately after the recreational play intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: Children aged 4-10 years who were hospitalized for chemotherapy treatment in the pediatric oncology and hematology clinic Willingness of both the child and parent to participate Written informed consent provided by the parent Parent able to read and write Turkish Exclusion Criteria: A major stressful life event unrelated to the illness during the previous six months, such as parental divorce, relocation, or death of a family member A clinically unstable condition preventing participation in recreational activities Terminal-stage disease