Reminiscence-Based Life Review on Copying With Existential Suffering Among Older Cancer Survivors

NCT05525299 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: uhongkongw4fgupp4
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 116
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Target Issue: Cognitive impairment in older cancer survivors is highly prevalent and the co-existing neuro-psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression, would further complicate the psychosocial consequence of existential suffering. However, no reminiscence-based interventions are specifically developed for older people with cancer have been developed and evaluated. Target Population: Cancer survivors aged 65 years old and above with a mild cognitive impairment identified by the HK-MoCA 5-Min Protocol cognitive assessment. Intervention: This research project aims to implement a brief reminiscence-based intervention that includes six reminiscence chatting sessions among older cancer survivors. The proposed reminiscence-based intervention has great potential to provide psychological and spiritual care as well as comfort to those who are weak, aged and are in need of assistance. Study Objectives:

1. 1.To evaluate the effect of a reminiscence-based life review intervention on copying with existential suffering including meaning of life (primary outcome), cognitive function, psychological distress and social support (secondary outcomes) in older cancer survivors
2. 2.To explore older cancer survivors' experience of the intervention regarding the impact of the intervention on their existential suffering

Conditions

Existential Suffering; Meaning of Life; Cognitive Function; Psychological Distress; Social Support

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Purpose in life

  The purpose in life will be assessed by the Purpose in Life (PIL) Test developed by Crumbaugh and Maholick (1964), which considers the meaning of life as unique and personal for each individual and as changing throughout the life cycle. The PIL test consists of 20 items that saturate four dimensions: perception of meaning (motives, reasons, and valuation of living life); experience of meaning (perception of one's own life and daily life as full of good things); goals and tasks (goals linked to concrete actions in life and perception of personal responsibility) and dialectic/destiny and freedom (tension between destiny and freedom and coping with death as an uncontrollable, unpredictable, and inevitable event).

  up to 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Cognitive function

  up to 6 weeks

• Psychological distress

  up to 6 weeks

• Perceived social support

  up to 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

A brief reminiscence-based life review with six themes to recall subjects' memory through the life review reminiscence intervention will be given. A total of six reminiscence chatting sessions (30-60 minutes per session) covering these themes will be conducted weekly.

Behavioral: Reminiscence-Based Life Review

Control

NO INTERVENTION

The subjects allocated in the Control group will not receive any intervention.

Interventions

Reminiscence-Based Life Review BEHAVIORAL

The reminiscence chatting activities covering 6 themes include: Week 1: "Instruction of the 'Life Story Narrative Journal' and My 'Childhood' memories" Week 2: "My 'Adolesces' memories and Memorable moments spent with my family" Week 3: "My 'Adulthood' memories and My very first full time job" Week 4: "My thoughts when I received my cancer diagnosis" Week 5: "My favourite activities before and after receiving a cancer diagnosis" Week 6: "When COVID-19 hits, \_\_\_\_\_ changes and The story goes on! The future pages are more to come!" A 'Life Story Narrative Journal' with six themes to recall subjects' memory through the life review reminiscence activities will be given. The Life Story Narrative Journal is a diary booklet that enables the participant to write down and express their thoughts in a narrative.

Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Aged ≥ 65 years
• Diagnosed with stage I-III non-metastatic cancer
• Completed primary treatment with curative intent (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy) 6 months to 5 years prior to baseline assessments with no recurrence or occurrence of additional cancers
• identified as mild cognitive impairment by the HK-MoCA 5-Min Protocol cognitive assessment (≤ 7th age and education corrected percentile cutoff score)

You may not qualify if:

• Inadequate written and verbal Cantonese and/or English comprehension for study activities
• Diagnosed with dementia

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD

  The University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD

CONTACT

+852 39102787; mhbho@hku.hk

Kelvin Chow, BSc

CONTACT

+852 92186066; chowkayu@hku.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2022
• First Posted: September 1, 2022
• Study Start: October 30, 2022
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2023
• Study Completion: August 30, 2024
• Last Updated: July 27, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-07

Locations

HK (1)