The efficacy of Life Review Therapy combined with Memory Specificity Training (LRT-MST) targeting cancer patients in palliative care: A randomized controlled trial
Gitta Kleijn, Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte, Ernst T Bohlmeijer, Bas Steunenberg, Kitty Knipscheer-Kuijpers, Vincent Willemsen, Annemarie Becker, Egbert F Smit, Corien M Eeltink, Anna M E Bruynzeel, Maurice van der Vorst, Remco de Bree, C René Leemans, Michiel W M van den Brekel, Pim Cuijpers, Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw, Gitta Kleijn, Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte, Ernst T Bohlmeijer, Bas Steunenberg, Kitty Knipscheer-Kuijpers, Vincent Willemsen, Annemarie Becker, Egbert F Smit, Corien M Eeltink, Anna M E Bruynzeel, Maurice van der Vorst, Remco de Bree, C René Leemans, Michiel W M van den Brekel, Pim Cuijpers, Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention combining Life Review Therapy (LRT) and Memory Specificity Training (MST) (LRT-MST) to improve ego-integrity and despair among cancer patients in palliative care.
Methods: In this multicentre randomized controlled trial, cancer patients in palliative care were randomized to the intervention group (LRT-MST; n = 55) or waiting-list control group (n = 52). LRT-MST is a 4-session home-based psychological intervention that aims to retrieve specific positive memories, to re-evaluate life events and to reconstruct the story of a patient's life, including the diagnosis of incurable cancer. Outcome measures were ego-integrity and despair (NEIS), psychological distress, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), and specificity of the autobiographical memory (AMT). NEIS, HADS and EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL were assessed at baseline (T0), 1 month later (post-treatment; T1), and at 1 month follow-up (T2). AMT was assessed at T0 and T1. Linear mixed models (intention to treat) were used to assess group differences in changes over time. Independent samples t-tests were used to assess group differences at T0, T1, and T2, and effect sizes (ES) were calculated at T1 and T2.
Results: The course of ego-integrity (not despair) improved significantly over time (p = .007) in the intervention group compared to the waiting-list control group, with moderate, but insignificant, effect sizes at T1 (ES = .42) and T2 (ES = .48). Compliance rate was 69% and total dropout rate was 28%, both primarily related to disease progression and death.
Conclusions: LRT-MST seems effective among cancer patients in palliative care to improve the course of ego-integrity.
Conflict of interest statement
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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References
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Source: PubMed