The Effect of The Mindfulness-Based Relaxation, Aromatherapy, and Prayer (RADO) Intervention on Anxiety and Quality of Life Among Children With Cancer

Dyna Apriany,1,2,&ast; Windy Rakhmawati,3,&ast; Aulia Iskandarsyah,4,&ast; Dany Hilmanto2,&ast; 1Department of Nursing, Faculty Science Technology and Health, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Cimahi, West Java, 40511, Indonesia; 2Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia; 3Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia; 4Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Windy Rakhmawati, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran Hegarmanah, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia, Email [email protected]: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel mindfulness-based intervention called RADO (Relaxation, Aromatherapy, and Prayer) for reducing anxiety and improving the quality of life in children with cancer.Patients and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-control group design was used. Participants included 66 children with cancer aged 10– 17 years, diagnosed with cancer for at least 3 months, currently undergoing treatment, and able to communicate verbally, and recruited from three hospitals in Bandung, Indonesia. The study used consecutive sampling. The intervention group received a seven-day RADO program involving mindfulness-based relaxation, aromatherapy, and prayer. Anxiety and QoL were measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRS-A) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PEDQL 3.0), respectively. Data were collected at baseline (T0), day three (T1), and day seven (T3). Statistical analysis included repeated ANOVA and independent t-tests.Results: By day seven (T3), the intervention group showed a significant reduction in anxiety (p < 0.001) and improved QoL (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. Repeated ANOVA revealed significant within-group changes in the intervention group across time points, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Following the intervention, males and a diagnosis of ALL demonstrated slightly higher anxiety scores and quality of life scores than female and those with other cancer types. Additionally, individuals who underwent fewer chemotherapy cycles (< 10) showed better outcomes in anxiety and quality of life than those with 10 or more cycles.Conclusion: The RADO intervention significantly reduced anxiety and enhanced QoL among pediatric cancer patients, demonstrating its potential as a culturally tailored MBI for children undergoing cancer treatment. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and cross-cultural adaptability.Keywords: Aromatherapy, Cancer, Mindfulness, Prayer, Quality of life, Relaxation