Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Diminished levels of meaning in life can have a range of detrimental effects on cancer patients, including heightened anxiety, depression, psychological distress, reduced quality of life and, in severe cases, even thoughts of suicide. Notably, young and middle-aged cancer patients often...

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Main Authors: Yu Zhu, Hongwei Wan, Shuman Wang, Mimi Zheng, Wenjie Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-10-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e082092.full
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author Yu Zhu
Hongwei Wan
Shuman Wang
Mimi Zheng
Wenjie Xu
author_facet Yu Zhu
Hongwei Wan
Shuman Wang
Mimi Zheng
Wenjie Xu
author_sort Yu Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Diminished levels of meaning in life can have a range of detrimental effects on cancer patients, including heightened anxiety, depression, psychological distress, reduced quality of life and, in severe cases, even thoughts of suicide. Notably, young and middle-aged cancer patients often exhibit even lower levels of meaning in life compared with their counterparts in other age groups. The primary objective of this study is to formulate a meaning in life intervention programme and assess its efficacy in enhancing the meaning in life and other relevant indicators among young and middle-aged cancer patients.Methods and analysis A prospective, parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Eighty-eight young and middle-aged cancer patients will be randomised into either the intervention or control group. The intervention group will receive 4 week, six-session, group-based meaning in life intervention programme, while the control group will receive treatment as usual. The primary outcome is meaning in life, and secondary outcomes are post-traumatic growth and psychological distress. These indicators will be assessed at baseline, on completion of the intervention and again 2 months following its conclusion.Ethics and dissemination The trial has received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital (2202-53-04-2301A-2310B). The study results will be shared through peer-reviewed journals and conferences.Trial registration number Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200060672.
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spelling doaj-art-49fffa21ef7b4ab3b64f5bf5fd2e38542025-08-20T01:47:28ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-10-01141010.1136/bmjopen-2023-082092Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trialYu Zhu0Hongwei Wan1Shuman Wang2Mimi Zheng3Wenjie Xu4Department of Nursing, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China1 Department of Nursing, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China1 Department of Nursing, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China4 Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China1 Department of Nursing, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaIntroduction Diminished levels of meaning in life can have a range of detrimental effects on cancer patients, including heightened anxiety, depression, psychological distress, reduced quality of life and, in severe cases, even thoughts of suicide. Notably, young and middle-aged cancer patients often exhibit even lower levels of meaning in life compared with their counterparts in other age groups. The primary objective of this study is to formulate a meaning in life intervention programme and assess its efficacy in enhancing the meaning in life and other relevant indicators among young and middle-aged cancer patients.Methods and analysis A prospective, parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Eighty-eight young and middle-aged cancer patients will be randomised into either the intervention or control group. The intervention group will receive 4 week, six-session, group-based meaning in life intervention programme, while the control group will receive treatment as usual. The primary outcome is meaning in life, and secondary outcomes are post-traumatic growth and psychological distress. These indicators will be assessed at baseline, on completion of the intervention and again 2 months following its conclusion.Ethics and dissemination The trial has received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital (2202-53-04-2301A-2310B). The study results will be shared through peer-reviewed journals and conferences.Trial registration number Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200060672.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e082092.full
spellingShingle Yu Zhu
Hongwei Wan
Shuman Wang
Mimi Zheng
Wenjie Xu
Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
BMJ Open
title Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_full Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_fullStr Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_short Effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle-aged cancer patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_sort effectiveness of meaning in life intervention programme in young and middle aged cancer patients study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e082092.full
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