Tehran University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research 2008-2207 11 4 2017 07 06 313 318 EN O. Annibali Unit of Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy C. Pensieri Institute of Philosophy of Scientific and Technological Activity, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy V. Tomarchio Unit of Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy V. Biagioli Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, School of Nursing, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy M. Pennacchini Institute of Philosophy of Scientific and Technological Activity, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy A. Tendas Hematology Unit, Ospedale Sant’Eugenio Hospital, Roma, Italy V. Tambone Institute of Philosophy of Scientific and Technological Activity, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy M. C. Tirindelli Unit of Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy 2017 02 12 2017 07 06 Background: Patients with haematological malignancies are often hospitalized in protective isolation until full neutrophil recovery in order to prevent infections. This descriptive pilot study evaluate the level of isolation-related distress and the use of free time in a sample of Italian onco-haematological patients who were hospitalized in protective isolation. Materials and Methods: Participants were 18 patients hospitalized in hematologic ward to receive induction therapy (n=12) or autologous stem cell transplant (n=6). They completed a self-report questionnaire before discharge. Results: Participants reported a moderate level of isolation-related distress, anxiety, and boredom: the more the anxiety and the boredom, the more the distress (r=.77; P<.001), (r=.79; P<.001), respectively. The activities performed during isolation were: watching TV (72.2%), reading (55.6%), thinking (33.3%), surfing in Internet or using PC (33.3%), and playing games or making cross-words (16.7%). Participants who reported pessimistic thinking had higher isolation-related distress (P=.004) as well as anxiety (P<.001) and boredom (P=.001). Conclusion: Haematology Units should support isolated patients in spending their time in recreational activities, allowing more contacts with immediate relatives and friends, providing free TV and Wi-Fi connection inside the room. In addition, patients should have to keep themselves physically active. Isolation-related distress could also be reduced by providing psychological support. https://ijhoscr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijhoscr/article/view/750 https://ijhoscr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijhoscr/article/download/750/584