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

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Enrolling

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

Treatments: Behavioral: Reminiscence-Based Life Review

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05525299

uhongkongw4fgupp4

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 116 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

116 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Reminiscence-Based Life Review

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

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