Dignity Therapy for Patients With Early Dementia and Their Family

NCT03692988 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2018-0109
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Developed by Harvey M. Chochinov in 2005, Dignity Therapy (DT) invites individuals with life-limiting illnesses to reflect on matters of importance to them and compiles them in a narrative document for the patient to share. DT has shown to improve quality of life and a sense of dignity, as well as supporting relatives in the process of grievance. Featuring a gradual loss of memories of the past, decline of cognitive functions and awareness of self, dementia can be regarded as a life-limiting or life-changing illness, which is often accompanied by significant psychological stress. DT may help patients and their relatives reduce this stress. Yet, no studies have been conducted to determine the benefits of DT in patients with early stage dementia (ESD). This study investigates the feasibility and acceptance of DT by patients with (very) mild dementia (CDR: 0.5 - 1.5) and their relatives, as well as their overall satisfaction. This study further seeks to determine the effects of DT on sense of dignity, quality of life, dyadic coping, and levels of anxiety and depression in a randomized controlled design.

Conditions

Dementia, Mild; Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Psychotherapy; Dignity; Family

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Participation and refusal rate of Dignity Therapy among Patients with an early stage dementia

  Acceptance based on the participation and refusal rate and dropout rate.

  10 days post randomization

• Overall satisfaction of patients and their relatives

  Overall satisfaction is indicated by answers to the Dignity Therapy Evaluation Questionnaire (DTEQ), which includes 10 items.

  10 days post randomization

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Psychological distress

  10 days post randomization

Study Arms (2)

Interventiongroup

EXPERIMENTAL

Dignity Therapy. Patients receive dignity-therapy-Intervention after randomization

Behavioral: Dignity Therapy

Waitinggroup

NO INTERVENTION

Patients receive dignity-therapy-Intervention after a waiting time of 3 months post randomization

Interventions

Dignity Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Dignity Therapy (DT) invites individuals with life-limiting illnesses to reflect on matters of importance to them and compiles them in a narrative document for the patient to share.

Interventiongroup

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Signed Informed Consent
• Diagnosis of very mild dementia
• older 18 years of age
• Study partner (life partner, relative, close friend) available

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to speak and read German
• Physical or cognitive incapacity to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Zurich: lead
• Waid City Hospital, Zurich: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Zurixh

Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia; Lymphoma, Follicular; Depressive Disorder

Interventions

Dignity Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Lymphoma; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Lymphatic Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Immune System Diseases; Mood Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2018
• First Posted: October 2, 2018
• Study Start: October 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2021
• Study Completion: May 31, 2021
• Last Updated: June 15, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (1)