["Stronger Than Yourself": An Integrative Intervention Program to Improve Medication Adherence and Therapeutic Engagement in Pediatric Oncology Patients].

چکیده اصلی

This article presents the "Stronger Than Yourself" program, developed within the integrative medicine service of the Oncology Department of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. The program was designed to improve treatment adherence among pediatric oncology patients, with particular emphasis on oral medication intake. We describe the case of a 7.5-year-old girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who persistently refused to take her prescribed medication and struggled to cooperate with the medical team. Her condition required a tailored intervention to enable continuation of essential treatment. The "Stronger Than Yourself" program combines principles of empowerment and self-control, active parental guidance, and the use of mind-body modalities, such as touch, movement, guided imagery, and mindfulness. Through an individualized integrative intervention, her emotional and behavioral barriers were reduced, resulting in significant improvement in cooperation and full regular medication adherence. Since its launch in 2017, the program has supported more than 200 children, with the vast majority achieving independent and sustained medication intake. The model has been recognized by the professional community and presented internationally. This case demonstrates the potential of a focused integrative approach to address common barriers to medication adherence in pediatric oncology, to reduce distress, and strengthen coping in children and families. Further research is warranted to consolidate the model and extend its implementation in other pediatric care settings.

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