An adaptation of meaning-centered psychotherapy integrating "essential care": A pilot study

Quílez Bielsa E. ; Barrado-Moreno V. ; Lastra Del Prado R. ; Arbonés-Mainar J.M. ; Sebastian-Sanchez M. ; Ventura Faci T. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Introduction There is a growing interest in the emotional state of cancer patients. The main objective of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy and Essential Care (MCP-EC) in patients with advanced cancer compared with usual psychological support. We define "Essential Care"as the promotion of patient care and self-care through the recall of good care experiences and discussion of the concepts: responsibility, self-compassion, kindness, and attitude. Method Pilot, single-center, and prospective study of 30 patients with advanced cancer and emotional distress. Our adaptation consisted in three session Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy-Palliative Care, plus a fourth session named "Essential Care". The study was carried out in two phases. First, 20 patients were randomized to one of the two arms: individual MCP-EC (experimental, n = 10) or usual psychological supportive (control, n = 10). In a second phase, 10 patients were assigned consecutively to Group MCP-EC (n = 10). All patients were evaluated at baseline (pre-) and post-intervention with questionnaires for sociodemographic data and clinical scales. Results Nineteen patients completed the 4 sessions of MCP-EC, 9 individual format and 10 group format. Usual supportive intervention was delivered to 10 control patients. Total 28 patients completed pre- and post-treatment evaluations. There were no pre- vs. post-differences in the evaluations of the control group. In the experimental group, significant pre- vs. post-differences were found in EQ-5D-3L, HADS, FACIT, DM, HAI, SCS-SF, and TD questionnaires. These results indicated that MCP-EC reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, hopelessness, demoralization, as well as increased spiritual well-being and sense of meaning. Participants were satisfied and found the MCP-EC intervention positively. Conclusions This pilot study suggests that the MCP-EC has feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy reducing the emotional distress in advanced cancer patients. Larger studies are warranted to clarify the strengths and limitations of this psychotherapy. © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1017/S1478951521001486

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Palliative & supportive care 20, 4 (2022), 496 - 504
ISSN: 1478-9515

Factor impacto JCR: 2.2 (2022)

Categ. JCR: HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES rank: 61 / 87 = 0.701 (2022) - Q3 - T3

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 4.0 - Psychology (Q2) - Nursing (Q1) - Medicine (Q2)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.724 - Nursing (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Psychiatry and Mental Health (Q2) - Clinical Psychology (Q2) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Area Psiquiatría (Dpto. Medicina, Psiqu. y Derm.)