Developing a mind map-based life review program to improve psychological well-being of cancer patients: a feasibility study

Life Review Intervention: A Systematic Review of Its Feasibility Among Persons With Cancer

CONTEXT

Life Review Intervention (LRI) has started to shift in emphasis of focus onto persons with cancer and its effectiveness in improving their psychological well-being. The process has now begin integrating into healthcare settings as a complementary treatment for this population.

OBJECTIVES

The current systematic review aims to synthesize existing feasibility studies on LRI among persons with cancer.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted from the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsychArticles, Scopus, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, Cochrane, EBSCO, and other methods. Eligible articles were selected based on the predetermined inclusion criteria and data extraction revolved around the study design, intervention procedure, and feasibility and psychological outcome measures.

RESULTS

The search yielded 8,627 articles, to which respondents simultaneously receiving other forms of psychological interventions were excluded. Eight were selected for evaluation. Four were integrated interventions while the remaining were conducted with the standard intervention. The sample size range from 5 to 90 persons with cancer. All reviewed articles reported optimum feasibility, as presented by recruitment capability, participant retention rate, acceptability and satisfaction, intervention implementation, and evaluation of intervention outcome measures. However, a majority of psychological outcome measures indicated no statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

LRI is feasible to be implemented among persons with cancer, given the high acceptability and availability of resources for its implementation. The present review highlighted the preliminary knowledge on the feasibility of the intervention.

The effect of implementing mind maps for online learning and assessment on students during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

In Saudi Arabia, the sudden shift from conventional (in-person) to online education due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected teaching and assessment methods. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of mind maps in this regard, measure students' reactions to certain educational environment-related changes caused by the pandemic, and identify skills that students perceived they gained through mind mapping.

METHODS

This study employed a non-intervention (cross sectional) design. Participants were King Abdulaziz University students from two medical physics courses (second and fourth level). Data were collected twice (after the first and last mind mapping assignments), and responses were analyzed using a paired t-test. Overall student results were compared against overall student performance in the previous term using chi-squares test hypothesis testing. The data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The results of the paired t-test showed no significant differences between students' mean satisfaction in both surveys. Nevertheless, students' responses revealed their satisfaction with using mind maps. Moreover, students believed that they gained skills like organizing and planning, decision making, and critical thinking from the mind map assignments. The chi-squares test (Chi-square = 4.29 < [Formula: see text]  = 9.48 and p-value = 0.36 > 0.05) showed no differences in students' grade distribution between the two terms of 2020 (pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic) despite the change in assessment style post-pandemic commencement.

CONCLUSIONS

Mind mapping can be adapted as an online teaching and assessment method. Additionally, student support and education institution-level effective communication can reduce stress during challenging times.

The use of mind mapping in health education in extended care for children with caries

Objective

To investigate the application of mind mapping-based health education in extended care for children with caries.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 159 eligible children with caries. Participants were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group, and received extended health education and guidance. Patients in the observation group received health education with mind mapping. In the third month after the first visit, a questionnaire survey was conducted to assess knowledge of extended caries diagnosis and treatment in children and their parents. Children also underwent a bacterial plaque test.

Results

Caries knowledge was significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group. There was no significant between-group difference in debris index on the bacterial plaque test. The observation group had a significantly greater number of follow-up visits in 12 months than the control group.

Conclusions

Mind mapping was effective in the implementation of extended care. Mind mapping information was more accessible to children and their parents, increasing their compliance with health education. Thus, mind mapping is an appropriate health education tool for use in extended care for children with caries.

Effects of a Mind Map-Based Life Review Program on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms on Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience psychological distress. The mind map-based life review program (MBLRP) offers the potential to reduce patients' negative emotions. However, its effects remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of the MBLRP on anxiety and depressive symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial with repeated measures was adopted. Eighty-four cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited from a general hospital in Fujian, China. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 44). The participants in the experimental group received the MBLRP plus routine care. The participants in the control group received routine care. Outcomes were measured at baseline, on the second day, and at 4 weeks after the MBLRP.

RESULTS

In terms of anxiety, multivariate test statistics showed significant differences in within-group (F = 11.343, P < .001), between-group (F = 8.873, P = .004), and interaction effects (group × time) (F = 19.595, P < .001). For the depressive symptoms, the results showed that the within-group effect (F = 12.385, P < .001), group effect (F = 18.000, P < .001), and group × time effect (F = 26.544, P < .001) were statistically significant, favoring the MBLRP experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS

The MBLRP has the potential to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is needed within larger more representative samples.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The MBLRP is a nurse-led, nonpharmacological program that could be recommended for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and integrated into clinical practice.

Effects of a mind map-based life review programme on psychospiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of a mind map-based life review programme (MBLRP) on psychological distress, hope, meaning in life and self-transcendence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

Eighty-four cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy from a university-affiliated hospital in Fujian, China. The participants were randomly allocated to a MBLRP group (n = 40) or usual care group (n = 44). Data were collected at baseline (T0), on the second day (T1) and four weeks after the programme (T2) using the Distress Thermometer, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Herth Hope Scale and Self-transcendence Scale.

RESULTS

No significant interaction effects for time and group membership were found for psychological distress either at T1 (t = -1.707, p = .090) or at T2 (t = -1.123, p = .263). The interaction effects for T1 and group membership were statistically significant for meaning in life (t = 3.487, p = .001) and hope (t = 5.313, p < .001), but not statistically significant for self-transcendence (t = 0.148, p = .882). The interaction effects for T2 and group membership were statistically significant for meaning in life (t = 2.592, p = .01), hope (t = 5.215, p < .001) and self-transcendence (t = 2.843, p = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

The MBLRP could improve hope, meaning in life and self-transcendence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Development and evaluation of a WeChat-based life review programme for patients with cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cancer often suffer from considerable distress. Life review is a process of recalling, evaluating and integrating life experiences to alleviate a sense of despair and achieve self-integrity. Empirical data have supported the fact that life review is an effective psychological intervention, but it is not always accessible to patients with cancer. There is little evidence of internet-based life review programmes tailored to patients with cancer. This study aims to develop a WeChat-based life review programme and evaluate its effectiveness on the psycho-spiritual well-being of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A single-centre randomised parallel group superiority design will be used. Patients with cancer will be randomised, to either a control group, or to an experimental group receiving a 6-week WeChat-based life review programme. The programme, which was mainly developed based on Erikson's psycho-social development theory and Reed's self-transcendence theory, provides synchronous and asynchronous communication modes for patients to review their life. The former is real-time communication, providing an e-life review interview guided by a facilitator online. The latter is not simultaneously dialogic and is used to interact with patients before and after a life review interview through Memory Prompts, Review Extraction, Mind Space and E-legacy products. The primary outcomes include anxiety, depression and self-transcendence, and the secondary outcomes are meaning in life and hope. These will be measured at baseline, and immediately, at 3 months, and at 6 months after the programme's conclusion.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Biological and Medical Research Ethics Committee of the corresponding author's university (IRB Ref No: 2016/00020). The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-IOR-17011998.