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

NCT ID: NCT05525299

Last Updated: 2023-07-27

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

116 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-10-30

Study Completion Date

2024-08-30

Brief Summary

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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. 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. To explore older cancer survivors' experience of the intervention regarding the impact of the intervention on their existential suffering

Study Method:

The investigator will recruit 116 voluntary elder patients from the outpatient oncology clinics of the Queen Mary Hospital to participate in the study. They will be individually randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive usual care or the brief reminiscence-based intervention at home. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 6-week follow-up (T2). A qualitative interview regarding the feedback on the intervention will be undertaken only in the intervention group.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Existential Suffering Meaning of Life Cognitive Function Psychological Distress Social Support

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Intervention

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.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Reminiscence-Based Life Review

Intervention Type 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.

Control

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

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Reminiscence-Based Life Review

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 Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 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)

Exclusion Criteria

* Inadequate written and verbal Cantonese and/or English comprehension for study activities
* Diagnosed with dementia
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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The University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Mu-Hsing Ho

Research Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The University of Hong Kong

Locations

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School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Hong Kong

Central Contacts

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Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+852 39102787

Kelvin Chow, BSc

Role: CONTACT

+852 92186066

Facility Contacts

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Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD

Role: primary

+852 39102787

Kelvin Chow, BSc

Role: backup

+852 92186066

Other Identifiers

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uhongkongw4fgupp4

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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