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Kroemeke A, Dudek J, Kijowska M, Owen R, Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka M. The effect of an online acceptance and commitment intervention on the meaning-making process in cancer patients following hematopoietic cell transplantation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial enhanced with single-case experimental design. Trials 2024; 25:392. [PMID: 38890709 PMCID: PMC11186126 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a highly invasive and life-threatening treatment for hematological neoplasms and some types of cancer that can challenge the patient's meaning structures. Restoring meaning (i.e., building more flexible and significant explanations of the disease and treatment burden) can be aided by strengthening psychological flexibility by means of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention. Thus, this trial aims to examine the effect of the ACT intervention on the meaning-making process and the underlying mechanisms of change in patients following HCT compared to a minimally enhanced usual care (mEUC) control group. The trial will be enhanced with a single-case experimental design (SCED), where ACT interventions will be compared between individuals with various pre-intervention intervals. METHODS In total, 192 patients who qualify for the first autologous or allogeneic HCT will be recruited for a two-armed parallel randomized controlled trial comparing an online self-help 14-day ACT training to education sessions (recommendations following HCT). In both conditions, participants will receive once a day a short survey and intervention proposal (about 5-10 min a day) in the outpatient period. Double-blinded assessment will be conducted at baseline, during the intervention, immediately, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. In addition, 6-9 participants will be invited to SCED and randomly assigned to pre-intervention measurement length (1-3 weeks) before completing ACT intervention, followed by 7-day observations at the 2nd and 3rd post-intervention measure. The primary outcome is meaning-related distress. Secondary outcomes include psychological flexibility, meaning-making coping, meanings made, and well-being as well as global and situational meaning. DISCUSSION This trial represents the first study that integrates the ACT and meaning-making frameworks to reduce meaning-related distress, stimulate the meaning-making process, and enhance the well-being of HCT recipients. Testing of an intervention to address existential concerns unique to patients undergoing HCT will be reinforced by a statistically rigorous idiographic approach to see what works for whom and when. Since access to interventions in the HCT population is limited, the web-based ACT self-help program could potentially fill this gap. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06266182. Registered on February 20, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kroemeke
- Institute of Psychology, Health & Coping Research Group, SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna Dudek
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Kijowska
- Institute of Psychology, Health & Coping Research Group, SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Małgorzata Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Oncohematology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland
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Ye M, Liu T, Mao X, Tan X, Wang J, Xu M. Effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation on aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:361. [PMID: 38840199 PMCID: PMC11151474 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides the chances of survival for aplastic anemia patients, it is also related to many treatment-related physical and psychological side effects that severely influence the quality of life. Exercise interventions have shown positive results in mixed hematology populations. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation in improving the quality of life, fatigue, and physical function in these patients. METHODS The study will enroll a total of 82 aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. They will be randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will participate in structured exercise rehabilitation (plus usual care), while control group participants will receive usual care. The exercise rehabilitation program will be performed from neutrophil and platelet engraftment until 100 days after transplantation. All outcomes will be measured at the following time points: the neutrophil and platelet engraftment (± 1day, T0), discharge from the transplantation module (± 1 day, T1), hospital discharge (± 1 day, T2), and 100 days post-transplantation (± 5 days, T3). DISCUSSION This study aims to assess the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation for aplastic anemia patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a Chinese single center. It is particularly vital to conduct the studies in this population. Moreover, the evidence obtained from the study will provide evidence for future research and clinical practice to exercise in aplastic anemia patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR2200060762. Registered on May 2022, www.trialregister.nl/trial/7702.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghua Ye
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The College of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopei Mao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxue Tan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), 54 Youdian Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
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Amonoo HL, Guo M, Boardman AC, Acharya N, Daskalakis E, Deary EC, Waldman LP, Gudenkauf L, Lee SJ, Joffe H, Addington EL, Moskowitz JT, Huffman JC, El-Jawahri A. A Positive Psychology Intervention for Caregivers of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors (PATH-C): Initial Testing and Single-Arm Pilot Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2024; 30:448.e1-448.e14. [PMID: 38266964 PMCID: PMC11009093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2024.01.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Caregivers of patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones through physical, emotional, and practical challenges. This role has been associated with high levels of psychological distress and low levels of positive psychological well-being (PPWB). Positive psychology interventions for caregivers in other disease groups (eg, breast cancer) have been associated with improved outcomes. However, positive psychology interventions that specifically address HSCT caregivers' psychological needs are currently lacking. The goal of this single-arm open-pilot trial was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the Positive Affect in the Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (PATH) intervention for HSCT Caregivers to identify caregiver preferences to tailor PATH for HSCT caregivers. Adult caregivers of HSCT recipients were eligible for PATH during the HSCT recipient's first 100 d post-transplant. We defined, a priori, feasibility as >60% of participants who start the intervention completing ≥6/9 intervention sessions and acceptability as weekly ratings of ease and utility of the PP exercises ≥7/10 on a 10-point Likert Scale (0 = very difficult/not helpful; 10 = very easy/very helpful). We conducted semistructured qualitative exit interviews (n = 15) to explore HSCT caregivers' perception of PATH's content, benefits of PATH, as well as facilitators and barriers to engaging with the intervention. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using framework-guided rapid analysis by 2 coders. The intervention was feasible with 83% (15/18) of caregivers who started the intervention completing ≥6/9 intervention sessions. Among caregivers who completed ≥6/9 intervention sessions, ratings of ease (mean = 8.1; 95% CI: 7.4, 8.7) and utility (mean = 8.3; 95% CI: 7.8, 8.9) also exceeded our a priori threshold of ≥7/10. Caregivers identified benefits of PATH, including identifying and responding to emotions, dedicating time to self-care, and cultivating important relationships. Sociodemographic factors (eg, being retired) and the manualized structure of PATH were cited as facilitators to intervention engagement. Barriers to PATH engagement included lack of time and competing caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers preferred remote intervention delivery within the first 100 d post HSCT. This is the first study to show a 9-wk, phone-delivered positive psychology intervention is feasible in caregivers of allogeneic HSCT recipients. Our findings also underscore the specific preferences of this population for positive psychology interventions. Larger studies are warranted to establish the efficacy of these interventions in addressing persistent unmet psychological needs for HSCT caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermioni L Amonoo
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Michelle Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Nikita Acharya
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Emma C Deary
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren P Waldman
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa Gudenkauf
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Stephanie J Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hadine Joffe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth L Addington
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Judith T Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jeff C Huffman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Mass General Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Bandieri E, Borelli E, Bigi S, Mucciarini C, Gilioli F, Ferrari U, Eliardo S, Luppi M, Potenza L. Positive Psychological Well-Being in Early Palliative Care: A Narrative Review of the Roles of Hope, Gratitude, and Death Acceptance. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:672-684. [PMID: 38392043 PMCID: PMC10888238 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the advanced cancer setting, low psychological functioning is a common symptom and its deleterious impact on health outcomes is well established. Yet, the beneficial role of positive psychological well-being (PPWB) on several clinical conditions has been demonstrated. Early palliative care (EPC) is a recent value-based model consisting of the early integration of palliative care into standard care for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. While the late palliative care primary offers short-term interventions, predominantly pharmacological in nature and limited to physical symptom reduction, EPC has the potential to act over a longer term, enabling specific interventions aimed at promoting PPWB. This narrative review examines nine English studies retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, published up to October 2023, focusing on EPC and three dimensions of PPWB: hope, gratitude, and death acceptance. These dimensions consistently emerge in our clinical experience within the EPC setting for advanced cancer patients and appear to contribute to its clinical efficacy. The choice of a narrative review reflects the novelty of the topic, the limited existing research, and the need to incorporate a variety of methodological approaches for a comprehensive exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bandieri
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Eleonora Borelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
| | - Sarah Bigi
- Department of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Claudia Mucciarini
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Fabio Gilioli
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Umberto Ferrari
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Sonia Eliardo
- Oncology and Palliative Care Units, Civil Hospital Carpi, Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL), 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (F.G.); (U.F.); (S.E.)
| | - Mario Luppi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Potenza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy; (M.L.); (L.P.)
- Hematology Unit and Chair, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
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