Asking children, parents and nurses to rate certain behavioral aspects before and during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can offer insights into patient experience, according to a multicenter, prospective study.

Children (n=165), their parents, and nurses completed the Behavioral, Affective, and Somatic Experiences Scale at baseline, and then 7 and 21 days after stem cell infusion. The scale assesses somatic distress, mood disturbance, cooperation, and getting along. Investigators looked at differences in rater assessments and changes over time. Among the results:

• ~Three-fourths completed the assessments.
• Parent-rated somatic distress scores increased from baseline to day 7, and remained that way at day 21.
• Children's scores were lower than parents' scores across time.
• Nurse baseline scores were lower than those of parents; by day 21 they were similar.
• Older child age was linked with higher somatic distress and mood disturbance scores.
• Worse parent emotional functioning was linked with lower scores in all areas except cooperation.