Loneliness is a profound health risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, particularly those with stomas who face significant stigma and social anxiety. According to the hypervigilance model, individuals with loneliness often internalize negative stereotypes and anticipate social rejection, leading to chronic isolation and perceived social isolation. Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) offers a potential solution by targeting the psychological mechanisms of shame and self-criticism. By activating the emotional "soothing system" and fostering a sense of common humanity, self-compassion can buffer the impact of stigma and reduce social fear. Despite its promise, the application of MSC within the oncology-ostomy context has rarely been tested. This randomized controlled pilot trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an adapted MSC for ostomy patients (MSC-OP) program due to CRC in alleviating loneliness, stigma, and social anxiety through improving self-compassion among CRC patients with ostomy. The findings will determine the suitability of Mindful Self-compassion as a targeted intervention to improve the psychosocial outcomes and social reintegration of this vulnerable population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
CRC ostomates will receive MSC-OP in the intervention group delivered by a trained therapist. We will adapt the SC-MSC (six weekly sessions with duration of 1.5 hours for each session) \[41\] for ostomy patients due to CRC. The SC-MSC is a shorted adaptation (9 hours) of the full MSC program created by Dr. Kristin Neff, and her colleague Dr. Christopher Germer. It was designed so that people could learn the key practices needed to transform their relationship with themselves \[41\]. The six sessions are as follows: What is self-compassion? Challenges to practicing self-compassion Discovering your compassionate voice Self-compassion and resilience Self-compassion and others Embracing your life beyond the stoma
CRC ostomates will receive social support, encompassing follow-ups by stoma nurses and social workers. This includes psychoeducation on stoma-related information, self-care, and the navigation of community resources or social-recreational activities. Stoma management support, psychosocial aid, and home-based follow-ups are provided as needed. Emergency stoma-related events are referred to hospital-based specialist nurses.
Reach
The total number of individuals who respond to the posters via phone or QR code.
Time frame: Throughout the recruitment period, approximately 4 months
Eligibility rate
The proportion of responders who meet the inclusion criteria.
Time frame: Throughout the recruitment period, approximately 4 months
Consent rate
The proportion of eligible participants who provide signed informed consent;
Time frame: Throughout the recruitment period, approximately 4 months
Recruitment rate
The average number of participants enrolled per month
Time frame: Throughout the recruitment period, approximately 4 months
Adherence
Quantified by the total attendance times at the scheduled 6 sessions of the intervention
Time frame: From the start to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Completion rate
The proportion of total patients who complete the post-intervention evaluations
Time frame: From the start to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Retention
The proportion of participants who completed the MSC-OP intervention until the end of the study period.
Time frame: From the start to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Loneliness
The 6-item Chinese version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6). Items (e.g., "How often do you feel that you lack companionship?") are rated from 1 ("Never") to 4 ("Often") with a total score from 6 to 24. Higher total scores reflect greater levels of perceived loneliness.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Self-compassion
the 12-item Neff Self-compassion Scale (SCS). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1("Almost never") to 5 ("Almost always") with a total score ranges from 12 to 60. A higher score reflects greater levels of self-compassion.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Self-stigma
the 9-item Self-Stigma Scale-Short (SSS-S) Respondents rate their agreement on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 4 = strongly agree) with a total score from 9 to 36. Higher score reflecting higher level of self-stigma.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Social anxiety
The Social Phobia Scale (SPS) Responses are recorded on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 0 ("Not at all characteristic or true of me") to 4 ("Extremely characteristic or true of me") with a total score ranging from 0 to 80. A higher score reflects higher social anxiety.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.