Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-x4r87 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T13:23:19.189Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Meaning-centered psychotherapy integrated with elements of compassion: A pilot study to assess feasibility and utility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2018

Francisco Gil ,
Clara Fraguell ,
Llúcia Benito ,
Anna Casellas-Grau  and
Joaquin T. Limonero
Francisco Gil*
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Clara Fraguell
Affiliation:
Mutuam-EAPS Barcelona; Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Llúcia Benito
Affiliation:
Control and Preventive Service, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Anna Casellas-Grau
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Joaquin T. Limonero
Affiliation:
Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
*
Author for correspondence: Francisco Gil. Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, E-mail: fgil@iconcologia.net
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

The main objective of this study is to establish emotional benefits of promoting and maintaining meaning in palliative care patients in the final weeks of life and to assess the benefits of including the compassion and self-compassion constructs in the Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy Model (MCP).

Method

Fifty-one cancer inpatients were randomly assigned to one of the three brief interventions for cancer patients in the end of life: the MCP-palliative care version, the MCP-compassionate palliative care (MCP-CPC), or standard counseling. Feasibility, acceptability, and utility were assessed in each condition. Likewise, patients’ opinions about the effectiveness of interventions’ elements were also collected.

Result

Of the 51 patients that began one of the three interventions, 30 completed the three-session interventional program, as well as the pre- and posttreatment questionnaires. No significant differences were found between therapies in terms of the positive feedback of patients regarding the structure, focus, and length of the all three psychotherapeutic interventions. The most helpful elements or constructs reported by patients were meaning, self-compassion, compassion, legacy, and courage and commitment.

Significance of results

An abbreviated version of MCP-CPC tailored to the needs of palliative care patients appears to be feasible, acceptable, and helps patients cope with the process of dying. Further research in bigger samples is needed to establish evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of a brief MCP-CPC for palliative care patients in their last weeks of life. More proposals of further elements are also needed to improve the results. Such research can create or refine previous treatment approaches which improve the quality of life and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Keywords

MeaningPsychotherapySelf-compassionCancerAdvanced cancer
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 643 - 647
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Braehler, C, Gumley, A, Harper, J, et al. (2013) Exploring change processes in compassion focused therapy in psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 52, 199–214.Google Scholar
Breitbart, W, Rosenfeld, B, Pessin, H, et al. (2015) Meaning-centered group psychotherapy: An effective intervention for improving psychological well-being in patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 33, 749–754.Google Scholar
Breitbart, W. (2017) Meaning-centered psychotherapy in the cancer setting. Finding meaning and hope in the face of suffering. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Gale, C, Gilbert, P, Read, N, et al. (2014) An evaluation of the impact of introducing compassion focused therapy to a standard treatment programme for people with eating disorders. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 21, 1–12.Google Scholar
Gil, F, Costa, G, Pérez, FJ, et al. (2008) Adaptación psicológica y prevalencia de trastornos mentales en pacientes con cáncer (Psychological adjustment and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients). Medicina Clinica 130, 90–92.Google Scholar
Gil, F, Costa, G, Pérez, FJ (2010) Does chemotherapy reduce stress? Palliative and Supportive Care 8, 455–460.Google Scholar
Gilbert, P (2010) Compassion focused therapy. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Gilbert, P (2014) The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 53, 6–41.Google Scholar
Gilbert, P and Choden (2014) Mindful compassion. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.Google Scholar
Neff, K (2003) Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude towards oneself. Self and Identity 2, 85–101.Google Scholar
Rosenfeld, B, Saracino, R, Tobias, K, et al. (2017) Adapting meaning-centered psychotherapy for the palliative care setting: Results of a pilot study. Palliative Medicine 31, 140–146.Google Scholar
Spencer, RJ, Ray, A, Piri, WF, et al. (2012) Clinical correlates and suicidal thoughts in patients with advanced cancer. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 20, 327–336.Google Scholar
Van Dam, NT, Sheppard, SC, Forsyth, JP, et al. (2011) Self-compassion is a better predictor than mindfulness of symptom severity and quality of life in mixed anxiety and depression. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 25, 123–130.Google Scholar