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

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. 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.

Conditions

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

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mu-Hsing Ho, PhD · The University of Hong Kong

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-10-30

Primary Completion

2023-08-30

Completion

2024-08-30

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations