Enhancing Decision-Making in Pediatric Radiotherapy: Internal Validation and Expansion of the M.A.P.-RT Schedule for Sedation Need Prediction and Identification of Psychological Support Needs in a Prospective Cohort of 268 Pediatric Patients

Background

Pediatric radiotherapy is often associated with high levels of psychological distress and vulnerability, affecting both patients and their families. In younger children, sedation is frequently required to ensure safety and adequate immobilization during treatment. The original RADAR Project demonstrated that the Multidimensional Assessment for Pediatric Patients in Radiotherapy (M.A.P.-RT) tool accurately predicts the need for sedation in pediatric patients undergoing radiotherapy. The present study aims to extend the validation of the M.A.P.-RT, including a larger cohort of patients, to confirm the tool’s predictive robustness and to identify clinical and psychosocial factors associated with sedation requirements, and to profile psychosocial and behavioural vulnerability according to age and gender.