This is an international, 3-site trial (Winnipeg Canada, MSKCC NYC, Perth Australia) accruing 120 patients per site (120x3). The purpose of this study is to compare two types of counseling for cancer patients: "Dignity Psychotherapy" and "Supportive Psychotherapy" as well as "Standard Palliative Care." Many cancer patients seek counseling to help with the emotional burden of their illnesses. Counseling often helps them cope with cancer by giving them a place to express their feelings. We, the investigators at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, have developed a type of counseling we call "Dignity Psychotherapy." It is intended to help cancer patients maintain or enhance a sense of purpose, meaning, and overall quality of life, despite having cancer. "Supportive Psychotherapy" is another type of counseling intended to help patients feel more at ease and express and reflect on any feelings or concerns they might have about their illness. Both of these types of counseling will be compared to "Standard Palliative Care." We will look at how these types of treatments affect patients' mood, outlook, and quality of life. We also want to see how the type of treatment they receive affects their family members and significant others.
Primary Objective: * To establish the efficacy of a new and unique individual, brief intervention we call "Dignity Psychotherapy" in enhancing a sense of meaning, purpose and overall well-being for patients with advanced, end stage cancer. Secondary Objectives: * To compare the effectiveness of "Dignity Psychotherapy" with "Supportive Psychotherapy" and "Standard Palliative Care" in bolstering the patients' sense of meaning, purpose, generativity, and overall sense of dignity and quality of life, while lessening hopelessness, sense of being a burden to others, and suffering. * To explore the impact "Dignity Psychotherapy" has on the bereavement experience of those family members/significant others taking part in this arm of the study protocol. * To compare the bereavement experience of bereaved family members/significant others whose loved ones took part in any one of the three study conditions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
281
At the beginning and at the end of the study, you will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires.will also receive three visits by a mental health professional over a period of five to seven days. You will be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires during this session which ask about feelings about your illness, symptoms, emotional reactions, and support you have available. The second meeting will be scheduled as soon as you are able to do so, within no more than 24 to 48 hours from your initial session with the Research Staff.The third meeting you will also be asked to fill out several questionnaires,including a specific questionnaire regarding your thoughts about the Dignity Psychotherapy Intervention. Total time commitment for this study should be approximately 120-150 minutes.
you will receive the standard care you normally would receive, but will also receive three visits by a mental health professional over a period of five to seven days. The initial visit will take approximately 45 minutes. You will be asked to fill out brief questionnaires (described above) during this session.A second contact will be scheduled as soon as you are able to do so, within no more than 24 to 48 hours from your initial session with the research staff. During this second session, you will have the opportunity to discuss with a supportive research therapist issues or topics relevant to your experience of coping with cancer.The third and final contact,you will be asked you to fill out questionnaires similar to those you filled out at the beginning of the study. Total time commitment for this study should be approximately 120-150 minutes.
If you are in the "Standard Palliative Care" group you will receive the standard care that is usually provided here at Memorial Hospital. This can include services such as consultations by physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals. In addition, referrals to community resources and services can also be made. The study period will be between five and seven days. At the beginning and at the end of the study, you will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires as described above. Total time commitment for this study should be approximately 60-90 minutes.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States
To establish the efficacy of a new and unique individual, brief intervention called "Dignity Psychotherapy" in enhancing a sense of meaning, purpose and overall well-being for patients with advanced, end stage cancer
Time frame: 7-10 days
To compare the effectiveness of "Dignity Psychotherapy" with "Supportive Psychotherapy" and "Standard Palliative Care" in bolstering the patients' sense of meaning
Time frame: 7-10 days
To explore the impact "Dignity Psychotherapy" has on the bereavement experience of those family members/significant others taking part in this arm of the study protocol
Time frame: 7-10 days
To compare the bereavement experience of bereaved family members/significant others whose loved ones took part in any one of the three study conditions
Time frame: Six to nine months following the death of the patient
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.