Effects of a Five-Dimensional Intervention Program Based on Inner Strength on Demoralization Syndrome in Elderly Cancer Patients

May 29, 2026 updated by: Peking Union Medical College Hospital
From January 2025 to January 2026, a total of 66 elderly cancer patients with demoralization syndrome who were hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. Participants were allocated randomly to either a control group (CG, n = 33) or an intervention group (IG, n = 33) utilizing a random number table in combination with the ward-floor allocation method. The CG received routine oncology nursing care, whereas the IG received a one-month, five-dimensional intervention program based on inner strength in addition to standard care. Outcomes were assessed utilizing the Chinese versions of Demoralization Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Inner Strength Scale, and Self-Efficacy Scale.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

66

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
      • Beijing, China, 100076
        • Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 60 years
  • Diagnosis of a malignant tumor confirmed by pathological biopsy or imaging, in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Specifications for Malignant Tumors
  • Fulfillment of the diagnostic criteria for demoralization syndrome, described as a score > 30 on the Chinese version of the Demoralization Scale (DS)
  • Clear consciousness, with the capability to communicate effectively or complete questionnaires, and no evidence of cognitive impairment
  • Voluntary participation with signed informed consent
  • Expected survival ≥ 3 months, without vital organs' severe dysfunction, including the liver, kidneys, or heart

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of psychiatric disorders, severe cognitive impairment, aphasia, or other conditions that would interfere with participation in the intervention or assessments
  • Severe complications, cachexia, or rapidly progressing disease
  • Receipt of psychological interventions or psychotropic medications within the previous month
  • Transfer to another hospital, withdrawal from the study, or loss to follow-up during the study period
  • A history of alcohol or drug dependence

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: Inner strength; Elderly; Cancer; Demoralization syndrome
psychological support
Other: psychological support
From January 2025 to January 2026, a total of 66 elderly cancer patients with demoralization syndrome who were hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine at our hospital were enrolled. Participants were allocated randomly to either a control group (CG, n = 33) or an intervention group (IG, n = 33) utilizing a random number table in combination with the ward-floor allocation method. The CG received routine oncology nursing care, whereas the IG received a one-month, five-dimensional intervention program based on inner strength in addition to standard care. Outcomes were assessed utilizing the Chinese versions of Demoralization Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Inner Strength Scale, and Self-Efficacy Scale.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Chinese version of the Disappointment Scale
Time Frame: one month
one month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
self-rating anxiety scale
Time Frame: one month
one month
Depression Self-Rating Scale
Time Frame: one month
one month
Chinese Version of the Inner Strength Scale
Time Frame: one month
one month
Self-Efficacy Scale
Time Frame: one month
one month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 4, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 12, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

December 12, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 7, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 29, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • K7564

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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