Acceptability and feasibility of a pilot randomized controlled trial of Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) for parent-caregivers of children with chronic life-threatening illnesses in Singapore

Oindrila Dutta, Geraldine Tan-Ho, Xinyi Casuarine Low, Toh Hsiang Benny Tan, Sashikumar Ganapathy, Josip Car, Ringo Moon-Ho Ho, Chun Yan Miao, Andy Hau Yan Ho, Oindrila Dutta, Geraldine Tan-Ho, Xinyi Casuarine Low, Toh Hsiang Benny Tan, Sashikumar Ganapathy, Josip Car, Ringo Moon-Ho Ho, Chun Yan Miao, Andy Hau Yan Ho

Abstract

Background: Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) is a novel psycho-socio-spiritual intervention which aims to bridge gaps in paediatric palliative care by providing anticipatory grief support to parent-caregivers who are looking after their child with a chronic life-threatening illness in Singapore. This is done via a therapist-facilitated smartphone app that focuses on strengths and meaning derived from parents' caregiving journey. NeW-I is empirically informed by an international systematic review and a Singapore-based qualitative inquiry on the lived experience of parental bereavement and supported by anticipatory grief interventions literature for improving the holistic well-being for parent-caregivers of seriously ill children. NeW-I is implemented in Singapore as an open-label two-armed randomized controlled trial comprising an intervention and control group.

Methods: This study examined the acceptability (via analysis of participants' post-intervention qualitative feedback and responses to a post-intervention evaluation survey) and feasibility (via records and memos of therapists' experience of delivering the intervention) of NeW-I among 26 intervention participants drawn from the larger trial.

Results: Framework analysis of participants' post-intervention feedback revealed four themes, namely: (i) Meaningful opportunity for reflection, (ii) Congruity with parent-caregivers' needs, (iii) Compatibility of online narrative writing and (iv) Sustainability and enhancement recommendations. The post-intervention evaluation survey showed that participants were overall satisfied with their NeW-I experience with a large number of participants acknowledging that NeW-I had improved their spiritual well-being, hopefulness about the future and perception of social support that was available to them, as well as lessened their feelings of sadness and depression, caregiver burden and fear and anxiety about their child's illness. The research team found it feasible to deliver the intervention in the current setting.

Conclusion: NeW-I is an innovative e-health tool that could immeasurably value-add to paediatric palliative care services for Asian families in Singapore and around the world.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03684382 , Verified: September 2018.

Keywords: Cyber-Counselling; End-of-Life Care; Narrative Therapy; Paediatric Palliative Care; Psychotherapy; Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s).

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