The lived experience of autologous stem cell-transplanted patients: Post-transplantation and before discharge

Facilitators and obstacles to couples' intimacy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a qualitative study

To identify perceived factors related to intimacy following HSCT.

Qualitative descriptive design.

Patients diagnosed with hematological cancer, 6 months into their HSCT recovery, and their partners.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants (nine patients and their partners). A thematic analysis was carried out.

Couples reported various obstacles to intimacy, such as emotional obstacles (i.e. negative emotions, emotional mismatch), the length of the disease, its treatments and side effects, and the patient's physical condition. Couples also reported facilitators to intimacy, such as using emotional facilitators (e.g. showing empathy), fostering open communication or sharing common experience of the disease.

This study highlights specific factors that influence couples' intimacy in the context of HSCT.Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Couples' intervention delivered in cancer care should be adapted by focusing on specific factors that maintain or enhance couples' intimacy.

The Role of Spirituality in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: a Systematic Mixed Studies Review

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become the standard treatment for many diseases, but it is an intense and distinctive experience for patients. HSCT-related mortality is present throughout the whole process of transplantation, from pretransplantation to recovery. Long-term rehabilitation and the uncertain risk of death evoke feelings of vulnerability, helplessness, and intense fear. Zimmermann et al. proposed that spiritual well-being is an important dimension of quality of life and that patients at the end stage of life require spiritual support in addition to physical care, psychological care, and social support. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the role of spirituality in the process of HSCT.

METHOD

A systematic mixed studies review (SMSR) was based on Pluye and Hong's framework to understand the role of spirituality in patients' experiences while undergoing HSCT. We use the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement to report the results of integration.

RESULTS

Fifteen original qualitative studies, 19 quantitative studies, and one mixed method study were included in the systematic mixed studies review. The evidence from the review revealed the following three themes: the spiritual experiences of HSCT patients, the spiritual coping styles of HSCT patients, and the spiritual need changes brought about by HSCT.

DISCUSSION

Few medical institutions currently offer spiritual healing, although HSCT patients with different cultural backgrounds may have different spiritual experiences and spiritual coping styles. Psychotherapists or nurses should be considered to provide spiritual care for patients undergoing HSCT, to help patients cope with disease pressures, promote HSCT patients' comfort, and improve their quality of life.