Effect of Group Play Therapy based on Choice Theory on Anxiety, Depression, and Pain Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Background and purpose: Some problems that people face in childhood and adolescence remain throughout their lives. One of these problems is cancer. This study examined the effectiveness of group play therapy based on choice theory on anxiety, depression, and pain symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer. Materials and methods: An experimental study with intervention and control group and pre and post-tests was performed in 30 patients with cancer in Mashhad Dr.Sheikh Hospital, 2019. Demographic form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire (CPGQ) were completed before and after the intervention. Participants were randomly assigned into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group, received eight hours of group play therapy based on choice theory in eight sessions. Data analysis was done in SPSS V24 applying Mixed model ANOVA. Results: The intervention was found to have a significant effect on anxiety level and pain intensity (P <0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, group play therapy based on choice theory could be of great help in reducing anxiety and pain intensity in children and adolescents with cancer.