Positive Psychology Intervention to Improve Quality of Life in Stem Cell Transplant Survivors and Their Caregivers

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipient

Treatments: Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment; Behavioral: Telephone-Based Intervention; Behavioral: Booklet; Other: Survey Administration; Behavioral: Exercise Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03525106

9969 (Other Identifier)

P30CA015704 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

NCI-2018-00541 (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This trial studies a positive psychology intervention designed to improve quality of life in stem cell transplant survivors and their caregivers. Positive psychology (PP) uses systematic exercises (e.g., gratitude letters, acts of kindness) to potentially boost levels of optimism, resilience, and life enjoyment. PP interventions are often enjoyable, easy to understand, and can be delivered via telephone. PP intervention may improve the quality of life of participants who have undergone a stem cell transplant or their caregivers.

Full description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Pilot a positive psychology intervention delivered to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors and interested caregivers over an 8 week period.

II. Determine the proportion of patients who enroll and the immediate benefit to participants, as measured by pre- and post-exercise measures of happiness and optimism.

III. Pilot outcome data collection mechanisms in preparation for a randomized clinical trial.

OUTLINE:

Participants and caregivers receive a positive psychology exercise manual, complete positive psychology exercises every week, and participate in phone sessions over 30 minutes every week for 8 weeks.

After completion of study, participants are followed up at 6 months.

Enrollment: 29 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent
• English as primary language
• At least 1 year after HCT

Exclusion criteria

• Major psychiatric diagnosis that impairs cognitive functioning or is not controlled at the time of the approach.
• Medical conditions precluding participation in the intervention or likely to lead to death within 6 months, as determined by the principal investigator (PI)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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29 participants in 2 patient groups

Participants: Positive Psychology Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive a positive psychology exercise manual, complete positive psychology exercises every week, and participate in phone sessions over 30 minutes every week for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Survey Administration

Behavioral: Telephone-Based Intervention

Behavioral: Booklet

Behavioral: Exercise Intervention

Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment

Caregivers: Positive Psychology Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Caregivers receive a positive psychology exercise manual, complete positive psychology exercises every week, and participate in phone sessions over 30 minutes every week for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Survey Administration

Behavioral: Telephone-Based Intervention

Behavioral: Booklet

Behavioral: Exercise Intervention

Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment