BMC Pediatr. 2025 May 26;25(1):420. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05745-y.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic illness in children significantly affects their quality of life and that of their families. They often encounter numerous challenges, with fatigue being one of the most common. Creating opportunities for parents to care for their children, participate in caregiver support groups, and engage in discussions with healthcare professionals can empower them.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of family-centered empowerment programs (FCEP) on reducing fatigue levels in children with chronic illnesses and their parents.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental study utilizing a single group pre/post-test design was carried out involving 328 mother-child pairs at Mansoura University Children’s Hospital. Pre-test and post-test measurements were utilized, employing the Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for children and the Checklist Individual Strength for parents. The FCEP comprised three educational sessions focused on managing fatigue and enhancing family support was introduced.
RESULTS: Post-intervention, children’s fatigue scores significantly improved from 6.59 to 33.64 (p ≤ 0.001). All fatigue subscales (general, sleep/rest, cognitive) demonstrated significant enhancements. Parental fatigue also showed a slight decrease, although it was less pronounced. Differences were observed in self-efficacy and coping strategies before and after the intervention, indicating a positive shift in these areas among families.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that implementing family-centered empowerment programs is associated with reduced fatigue severity in children with chronic illnesses and their parents. This highlights the potential benefits of family involvement in care processes. However, it may be beneficial for future studies to utilize a larger randomized design to further validate these results and enhance the generalizability of the findings.
PMID:40420267 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-025-05745-y
