Table 3.

Methodological Assessment of Qualitative Studies.

Qualitative interview studies (n = 3)
Study ID	Population	Method	Design/analysis	Setting	Aim(s)	Participant(s)	Sample size	Inclusion/exclusion criteria	Duration of treatment (follow-up)	Results	Funding
Clerici et al 49	Magic tricks as support to psychological approaches for children with cancer	Psychological interviews with pediatric patients	Qualitative design. Descriptive study of consultations with patients.	Hospital setting	Describe illusionist techniques (magic), suggest utility, and arouse interest	Children who underwent cancer treatment younger than 10 y of age	n = 30	Children’s difficulty adapting to disease and treatment; relational problems with the hospital team; stressful treatments; problems with compliance to treatment, emotional distress; adaptation problems in survivors; terminal disease; relational problems in the family; psychological problems; psychopathologic conditions	NR	The use of magic in the context of pediatric oncology can represent a useful resource as a complement to traditional psychological support approaches	This study did not receive any funding
Hu et al 43	Childhood cancer and acupressure for well-being and positive emotions	Semi-structured interviews lasting 60 to 90 min, and participant observation of the acupuncture sessions	Qualitative design. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using grounded theory symbolic (interactionism and phenomenology).	This study was nested within a clinical trial testing the effect of acupressure on children being treated for cancer	Explore whether and how acupressure, when provided by a professional or trained caregiver, was perceived as eliciting a sense of well-being	Acupressure providers (n = 3); primary caregivers of children with cancer (n = 13)	Total sample (n = 16)	Caregivers of children 5 to 21 y of age receiving hospital-based cancer treatment, who have demonstrated engagement in the acupuncture intervention were asked to participate. Caregivers who had a minimal interest were not asked.	NR	Acupressure brought symptom relief, physical relaxation, and comfort to the child and caregiver	Patient-centered outcomes research institute: Pierre’s birthday fund; the National cancer institute: the National center for complementary and alternative medicine
Nilsson et al 46 * (qualitative arm)	Non-immersive virtual reality (VR) for painful procedures	Semi-structured interviews with 21 children and adolescents following the completion of the intervention. Median time for the interviews was 8.5 min	Qualitative design. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis.	This was a qualitative arm nested within a clinical trial testing VR for painful procedures	Examine the participants’ response to the use of VP equipment during painful procedures	Children and adolescents with cancer (n = 21)	Total sample (n = 21)	Children and adolescents 5 to 18 y old, who have undergone painful procedures at least once before	During needle procedures	These interviews showed that non-immersive VR was a positive experience for children undergoing painful procedures	Children’s Cancer Foundation at the Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, the Sigurd and Elsa Goljes Foundation, the Federation of Swedish County Councils (VG-region), the Ebba Danelius Foundation, and the Wilhelm and Martina Lundgrens Foundation

Abbreviation: NR: not reported.