A systematic scoping literature review on the use of child life therapy (CLT) in the perioperative setting

Background: Children and their caregivers often experience anxiety related to a perioperative admission. A systematic
scoping review was conducted to map the evidence for child life therapy, including the professional background of
treating clinicians.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley methodology. Six databases: PubMed,
CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched.
Results: After reviewing 578 titles and abstracts, and 55 full texts, 11 studies were retained. Included studies were
randomised controlled trials (n¼5), retrospective studies (n¼3), descriptive studies (n¼1) and clinical studies (n¼2).
Child life therapy was effective for anxiety, anaesthetic induction quality, child cooperation and parental satisfaction.
Professions delivering interventions included Child Life Therapists, nurses and a multidisciplinary team.
Conclusion: There is emerging evidence for child life therapy which may be used to guide delivery of paediatric
procedural support in perioperative settings. Further studies are needed to inform practice.