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Psychosocial Considerations

Cognitive and psychosocial functioning of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: A prospective longitudinal study

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 30, pages 609–617 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

A prospective longitudinal study of cognitive and psychosocial functioning in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients was conducted on three occasions: pre-HSCT, 1 year post-HSCT, and 2 years post-HSCT. In contrast to the previous hypothesis that cognitive declines would occur as a result of HSCT treatment, it was hypothesized that (1) global cognitive functioning (IQ scores), as well as specific areas would remain stable over time; (2) pre-transplant functioning would be predictive of later functioning; and (3) age would be negatively related to cognitive functioning. Based on previous research it was further hypothesized: that (4) while declines in psychosocial functioning might be seen at 1 year, functioning would improve by 2 years. 153 children and adolescents were evaluated pre-HSCT and at 1 year, with 2 year data available for 74 children. Longitudinal analyses of Wechsler IQ data were completed on 100 children (longitudinal exact test) and 52 children (repeated measures analysis of variance. Results of cognitive assessment indicated (1) stability of IQ scores over time; and (2) that the strongest predictor was pre-HSCT cognitive functioning. Psychosocial assessment results indicated: (1) a low prevalence of behavioral and social problems; (2) stability in functioning over time; (3) pre-HSCT functioning strongly predictive of later functioning.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Molly Garwood, PhD, Kristine Martin, PhD, Alan Silverman, PhD, and Kristin Bingen, PhD for their help in the psychological assessment of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and donors. Thanks are also due the hematopoietic stem cell transplant mental health team, especially Paula Thompson, MSW, Sheila Feeley, MSW, Jill Perrone, RN, CPNP, Lynnette Anderson, RN, CPNP, and Mary Lauer, RN, CPNP. We wish to acknowledge the help of Diane Bauer, Mara Pelz, Sara Todryk, Laura Oland, and Andrea Libber in data compilation and reference research. We are grateful to Steven Simms, PhD for his helpful review of this manuscript, to Jim Kepner, PhD for his consultation on longitudinal data analysis, and to Brent Logan, PhD and Dan Eastwood, MS for additional statistical consultation. Partial support for this research was provided by the MACC (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    MJ Kupst, B Penati, B Debban, B Camitta, D Pietryga, D Margolis, K Murray & J Casper

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  1. MJ Kupst
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Kupst, M., Penati, B., Debban, B. et al. Cognitive and psychosocial functioning of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: A prospective longitudinal study. Bone Marrow Transplant 30, 609–617 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1703683

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