Hippotherapy Teenager-pediatric Radiotherapy

T-QAP: radioTherapy eQuicie Adolescent - Pediatrics

This study proposes a horse-assisted therapy (HAT) approach to accompany children and young adults undergoing irradiation in the ICANS Radiotherapy Department.

The aim of this new approach is to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety in children and adolescents treated with radiotherapy. The impact of equine-assisted therapy on quality of life and anxiety disorders will be described prospectively between the start and end of irradiation in children and parents who agree to inclusion.

Electro-radiology medical technician (ERMT) are privileged contacts with children. They accompany them every day during radiotherapy sessions. An animal-mediated approach would provide a new out-of-hospital environment. The equine sessions, precious moments when the child can forget about his illness, would enable him to escape from his condition as a patient. Indeed, the sick child adopts a posture to withstand treatment and take on responsibilities such as "not crying" and "being brave". These moments, away from the hospital, are essential to the smooth running of care, since they limit the weariness induced by daily radiotherapy sessions and help preserve the quality of caregiver/child cooperation during treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 8 to <18 years.
• With an indication for radiotherapy for cancer (of any type)
• Patients hospitalized and/or managed on an ambulatory basis
• WHO ≤ 2
• Child and parents (or accompanying adults) who speak and understand French
• Free, express and informed consent of the adult patient OR of those exercising parental authority for minor patients
• Child with social security coverage

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children afraid of horses and stables
• Contraindication to the practice of equine-assisted therapy (allergy to horses or dust, children with asthma attacks triggered by dust/animal hair ...)
• Patient on stretcher
• Children or parents (or carers) with significant cognitive impairment, making self-assessment or hetero-assessment impossible even with assistance
• Unavailability or lack of interest in participating in equine-assisted therapy sessions