Psycho-educational play supports occupational activity in ALL children during hospitalization. Effects on children's fine motor skills, HRQOL, parents' perception of the child

This study aims at exploring the positive effects induced in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in their parents and in the quality of life perceptions by the introduction of a kit of psychoeducational play activities(MoFis-I) designed to stimulate children's fine motor skills and to minimize occupational deprivation associated with long hospitalization. Moreover, this pilot research intended to evaluate the feasibility of the MoFis-I in a health-care setting, measuring if it is perceived as pleasurable and stimulating and evaluating its benefits for cancer children and their families. Results indicated that on average children increase their motor functioning in manual dexterity after participation in stimulation activities. Parents' interviews with the COPM reveal that after the kit play activities children show a slight improvement in overall occupational performance related to an increase in the area of productivity and self-care. The MoFis-I has been judged as transportable, easy to build up, pleasant and stimulating tool to be used for enhancing children's occupational activity