Development of a Positive Psychology Intervention to Improve Mood and HRQoL in Patients Post-HSCT - Proof of Concept

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a rigorous treatment for blood cancer patients that can be life-saving, but often causes psychological distress. The investigators hope that this study will help the research team to develop and implement a positive psychological intervention designe...

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a rigorous treatment for blood cancer patients that can be life-saving, but often causes psychological distress. The investigators hope that this study will help the research team to develop and implement a positive psychological intervention designed to help HSCT patients increase positive emotions such as hope, gratitude, and fulfillment while recovering from a stem cell transplant. Participants will be selected after receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant treatment in the past 30 days at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). In this project, the investigators hope to: Test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, 8-week, phone-based positive psychology intervention in a small cohort of post-HSCT patients (N = 20). Explore potential benefits of completing the intervention on outcomes of interest, such as positive affect and overall function. Baseline information about enrolled participants will be obtained from patients from the electronic medical record as required for characterization of our population. This information will include data regarding medical history, current medical variables, medications, and sociodemographic data. Participants will be approached upon nearing their discharge from the hospital, approximately 30 days after their transplant. Between the time of their discharge and their 100-day post-transplant visit, there will be three check-in/psychosocial support phone calls at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after discharge to build rapport and discuss their recovery. Then, at week 14, participants will meet with the principal investigator to complete self-assessment questionnaires. The participants will then complete an 8-week phone-based positive psychology intervention, at the end of which the self-assessment questionnaires will be repeated.

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