Psychological distress as a negative survival factor for patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

eHealth mindfulness-based music therapy for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A pilot randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is the preferred therapy for patients with high-risk or relapsed hematologic malignancies, but may be complicated by psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety) and symptom burden (e.g., fatigue, pain). Mindfulness-based music therapy (MBMT), a relatively novel integrative medicine intervention that draws from mindfulness and music therapy principles, has shown promise in improving psychosocial outcomes and symptom burden in cancer patients. We outline an eHealth-based MBMT (eMBMT) intervention protocol examining: (1) feasibility, acceptability, and intended effects of eMBMT in improving HRQOL, symptom burden, and clinical markers of disease activity (e.g., infections), and (2) the extent to which eMBMT music therapy component-associated improvements in HRQOL, symptom burden, and disease activity are mediated by improvements in psychosocial and physiological (e.g., systemic inflammation, immune recovery) adaptation.

METHODS

Participants (n = 60) with a hematologic malignancy undergoing allo-SCT will be randomized to receive eMBMT or an eHealth-based mindfulness meditation (eMM) intervention. eMBMT includes eight 60-min sessions facilitated by a music therapist focusing on mindfulness and music therapy. eMM includes eight 60-min self-led MM practices.

RESULTS

Feasibility, acceptability, HRQOL, symptom burden, disease activity, and mediation effects of psychosocial and physiological adaptation will be assessed at baseline, pre-infusion, and post-engraftment with blood collection at baseline and post-engraftment.

CONCLUSION

The current pilot RCT is the first eMBMT intervention to address the HRQOL and symptom burden of patients who are undergoing allo-SCT. Results will inform a fully powered RCT to establish preliminary efficacy of eMBMT on improvements in HRQOL, symptom burden, and disease activity.

A Self-Help Manual for Psychological Distress and Quality of Life During a Haemopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant: An Effectiveness and Acceptability Pilot

Haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) can be a highly distressing procedure that negatively impacts quality of life (QoL). Self-help interventions can help improve psychopathology and wellbeing in patients with physical illness, but have rarely been trialled with HSCT recipients. This study aimed to pilot the utility of a self-help manual intervention during the acute phase of HSCT. Forty autologous and allogeneic HSCT candidates were randomly assigned to a self-help manual intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). Psychological distress (BSI-18) and QoL (FACT-BMT-Vs4) were measured pre-, 2-3 weeks and 3 months post-HSCT. Linear mixed-effects analyses showed no significant group-time interaction for global QoL (p = .199) or global distress (p = .624). However, highlighting a protective role during admission, manual participants showed minimal QoL or somatic distress change at 2-3 weeks post-transplant compared with moderate-large effects for reduced QoL (d = 0.62) and increased somatic distress (d = - 0.81) for TAU patients. Thematic analysis suggests the manual helped prepare patients for transplant and provided strategies to improve distress and QoL. This pilot provides preliminary evidence for the benefit of a self-help manual during hospitalisation for a HSCT. More intensive, recovery-focussed care, however, may be needed to improve psychological health in the post-hospital period. Retrospectively registered trial (ANZCTR No. 12620001165976, 6th November 2020).

Survival protection of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: grounded theory

PURPOSE

For patients with blood malignancies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a significant challenge. These patients have hope to be completely cured after the transplantation, but deal with the dread of dying at the same time. This study presents a deep understanding of the psychological process of the treatment including perception, emotion, interactions, and its consequences in patients undergoing HSCT.

METHODS

This study utilized a qualitative method based on the Strauss and Corbin Approach toward the grounded theory. The research population comprised all patients undergoing HSTC in Taleghani Hospital (Tehran, Iran) who were able to communicate effectively. The data were collected through deep and unstructured interviews with consenting patients. The sampling started with a purposive method and continued until the theoretical saturation was met. The 17 participants were interviewed individually and the data were analyzed via Strauss and Corbin Approach (2015).

RESULTS

According to the findings of the present study, the threat to survival was the main concern of patients during the transplant process. The patients tried to cope with the threat to survival through strategies that were conceptualized as survival protection. These strategies led to the consequences such as debris removal and fondness for life, through which the patients rebuilt themselves, while on the alert for transplant rejection.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that dealing with HSCT affects personal and social aspects of a patient's life. This means, taking measures to facilitate psychological affairs and financial expenses, increasing the nursing manpower, and helping patients to reduce tension play a vital role to improve their fighting spirit.

"Improving to where?": treatment-related health risks and perceptions of the future among adolescents and young adults after hematopoietic cell transplantation

PURPOSE

Despite the prevalence of hematological malignancies in early adulthood, very little is known about hematopoietic cell transplantation among adolescents and young adults, and even less is known about their transition from the completion of therapy to early survivorship. In this qualitative study, we investigated the impact of the cancer experience on sense of life potential and perception of the future from the perspectives of adolescents and young adults after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with adolescents and young adults who underwent allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation between the ages of 15-29 years and were 6-60 months post-treatment. Interview transcripts were systematically coded based on constructivist grounded theory.

RESULTS

Eighteen adolescents and young adults participated and described how they came to understand the lifelong, chronic nature of cancer survivorship. "Improving to where?" was a question raised in the post-treatment period that reflected participants' confusion about the goals of treatment and expectations for survivorship. Participants reported bracing themselves for "something bad" to deal with the uncertainty of medical and psychosocial effects of treatment. They struggled to move forward with their lives given their substantial health risks and found it necessary to "roll with the punches" in order to adjust to this new reality.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents and young adults who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation are at significant risk for long-term and late effects in survivorship. Age-appropriate interventions are needed to support these survivors as they manage their fears about the future while enhancing health and well-being.

Emerging Models of Providing Oncology Palliative Care

OBJECTIVE

To describe palliative care integration into oncology, including several models that facilitate this integration, important considerations when initiating a program, special oncologic populations that would benefit from palliative care, and challenges to consider.

DATA SOURCES

Palliative care and oncology literature over the past decade.

CONCLUSION

Multiple models exist to facilitate the integration of palliative care based on the needs of the providers or payers. There are several special populations that would benefit from early integration of palliative care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses play a critical role in identifying patients, providing early primary palliative care, and facilitating collaborative relationships with and referring to specialist palliative care.

Mortality risk associated with psychological distress and major depression: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the impact of psychological distress on mortality. We aimed to estimate mortality rates of psychological distress and major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to a referent group with no MDD or psychological distress.

METHODS

Our study population (N = 10 181) consisted of respondents from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 linked to Ontario health administrative databases followed for up to 11 years. We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess overall, sex-specific, as well as short-term (within two years of follow-up) and long-term (follow-up ≥ two years) mortality among those with DSM-criteria MDD and psychological distress independent of MDD adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical factors.

RESULTS

Individuals with psychological distress (n = 666) had a similar mortality rate as those with MDD (n = 428) and significantly greater adjusted hazards of death than the referent group (hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.14-2.15). The risk of death was greatest in the short-term among those with MDD, however, we observed a persistent 1.6-fold increased risk in both the short- and long-term among those with psychological distress compared to the referent. Women with MDD had the greatest mortality rate and died a median of 15 years earlier than women in the referent group.

LIMITATIONS

Psychological distress and MDD were ascertained at baseline with small number of deaths in the early follow-up period. Survey variables were prone to self-report bias with a possibility of residual confounding.

CONCLUSIONS

Focused longitudinal research and targeted management strategies for those with psychological distress and women with MDD are warranted.

A systematic review of the risk factors for clinical response to opioids for all-age patients with cancer-related pain and presentation of the paediatric STOP pain study

BACKGROUND

Inter-patient variability in response to opioids is well known but a comprehensive definition of its pathophysiological mechanism is still lacking and, more importantly, no studies have focused on children. The STOP Pain project aimed to evaluate the risk factors that contribute to clinical response and adverse drug reactions to opioids by means of a systematic review and a clinical investigation on paediatric oncological patients.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search in EMBASE and PubMed up to the 24th of November 2016 following Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts along with full-text papers; disagreements were resolved by discussion with two other independent reviewers. We used a data extraction form to provide details of the included studies, and conducted quality assessment using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.

RESULTS

Young age, lung or gastrointestinal cancer, neuropathic or breakthrough pain and anxiety or sleep disturbance were associated to a worse response to opioid analgesia. No clear association was identified in literature regarding gender, ethnicity, weight, presence of metastases, biochemical or hematological factors. Studies in children were lacking. Between June 2011 and April 2014, the Italian STOP Pain project enrolled 87 paediatric cancer patients under treatment with opioids (morphine, codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl and tramadol).

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies on cancer pain should be designed with consideration for the highlighted factors to enhance our understanding of opioid non-response and safety. Studies in children are mandatory.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42017057740 .

Psychosocial risk predicts high readmission rates for hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an intensive treatment resulting in disease control however subsequent psychosocial distress is common. Screening for psychosocial risk factors that contribute to morbidity is underutilized; moreover, the value in screening is uncertain. We performed a retrospective study of 395 HCT patients who were screened for psychosocial risk using the Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS). Patients were classified by psychosocial risk as no-risk (TERS = 26.5, 52%) vs. at-risk (TERS > 26.5, 48%), with at-risk patients stratified by cumulative deficits into mild risk (TERS = 27-35.5, 39%) and moderate risk (TERS > 35.5, 9%). At-risk patients were more likely to be readmitted within 90 days (mild risk HR = 1.62, p = 0.02; moderate risk HR = 2.50, p = 0.002). Prior psychiatric history (HR = 1.81, p = 0.002) and poor coping skills (HR = 1.64, p = 0.04) also influenced readmission. At-risk patients were more likely to be readmitted for infection (no-risk = 12% vs. at-risk = 25%, p = 0.002). Pre-HCT screening with the TERS did not predict survival or length of stay although at-risk patients are at a heighted risk of readmission. Implementing strategies to reduce readmission in higher risk patients is warranted.

Perceptions of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Coping Predict Emotional Distress During the Acute Phase After Transplantation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To test whether a widely used model of adjustment to illness, the self-regulatory model, explains the patterns of distress during acute hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). According to the model, perceptions of HSCT, coping, and coping appraisals are associated with distress.
.

DESIGN

Longitudinal, correlational.
.

SETTING

The Centre for Clinical Haematology at Nottingham City Hospital and the Department of Haematology at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, both in the United Kingdom.
.

SAMPLE

45 patients receiving mostly autologous transplantations for a hematologic malignancy.
.

METHODS

Patients were assessed at baseline, on transplantation day, and two and four weeks after transplantation using three questionnaires.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, stress, and overall distress (DASS-21); use of different coping styles (Brief COPE); and perceptions of HSCT and coping appraisals (Brief IPQ).
.

FINDINGS

As suggested by the self-regulatory model, greater distress was associated with negative perceptions of HSCT, controlling for the effects of confounding variables. Mixed support was found for the model's predictions about the impact of coping styles on distress. Use of active and avoidant coping styles was associated with more distress during the acute phase after HSCT.
.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative perceptions of HSCT and coping contribute to psychological distress during the acute phase after HSCT and suggest the basis for intervention.
.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Eliciting and discussing patients' negative perceptions of HSCT beforehand and supporting helpful coping may be important ways to reduce distress during HSCT.

Psychosocial factors predicting survival after allogeneic stem cell transplant

PURPOSE

A primary aim was to assess the relative contribution of psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression and mental adjustment to cancer, to overall survival outcomes at a median follow-up of 2 years following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). A secondary aim was to ascertain if demographic, medical and psychosocial factors assessed prior to transplantation were predictors of survival for patients after accounting for post-transplant events.

METHOD

Between 2005 and 2011, 130 allograft patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 as part of routine psychological assessment before undergoing transplantation. Survival status data were obtained, and predictors of survival status assessed and analysed using Cox-regression models.

RESULTS

Thirteen percent experienced clinical levels of distress pre-transplant. None of the psychological factors predicted post-HSCT survival. In contrast, hierarchical multivariate analysis indicated that post-transplant factors (acute graft-versus-host disease and relapse post-transplant) predicted survival (Chi-square change, p < 0.001). The addition of a series of pre-transplant psychosocial and medical variables further improved the prediction of survival (Chi-square change, p = 0.01). In particular, relationship status (being single) (p = 0.04) and increased somatic symptoms (p = 0.02) pre-transplant were associated with shorter survival. Both variables were not associated with medical factors but were related to increased severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as greater use of helpless-hopelessness and reduced fighting spirit adjustment response.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the significant influence of acute post-transplant factors in predicting survival following allogeneic HSCT, multidisciplinary pre-transplant assessments are important in identifying patients who are likely to experience poorer survival outcomes.

High prevalence of distress in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic SCT: fear of progression is associated with a younger age

Little is known about the psychological burden patients are left with after successful allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). With the main focus on physical condition and common transplant complications, psychological symptoms often remain neglected in daily practice. To assess the prevalence of distress in patients who have undergone allogeneic HSCT, we conducted a cross-sectional pilot study in 50 consecutive patients from our outpatient transplant clinic using standardized questionnaires. Distress was categorized by symptoms of anxiety, fear of progression, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Forty-one patients completed self-administered questionnaires. The median age was 53 years (21-74 years) and the mean time after transplantation was 614 days (25-2070 days). In total, 18 patients (44%) showed symptoms of distress. Among these 18 patients, 11 patients reported symptoms of anxiety, 12 patients suffered from fear of progression, 11 patients showed symptoms of depression and 6 patients of PTSD. Age below 55 years was significantly associated with fear of progression (P=0.004). This study demonstrates the high prevalence of distress in patients who have undergone allogeneic HSCT. Our results suggest an unmet need for professional support and intervention. These findings may be relevant as distress could have an influence on the outcome after HSCT.