A Self-Help Manual for Psychological Distress and Quality of Life During a Haemopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant: An Effectiveness and Acceptability Pilot.

Haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) can be a highly distressing procedure that negatively impacts quality of life (QoL). Self-help interventions can help improve psychopathology and wellbeing in patients with physical illness, but have rarely been trialled with HSCT recipients. This study aimed to pilot the utility of a self-help manual intervention during the acute phase of HSCT. Forty autologous and allogeneic HSCT candidates were randomly assigned to a self-help manual intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). Psychological distress (BSI-18) and QoL (FACT-BMT-Vs4) were measured pre-, 2-3 weeks and 3 months post-HSCT. Linear mixed-effects analyses showed no significant group-time interaction for global QoL (p = .199) or global distress (p = .624). However, highlighting a protective role during admission, manual participants showed minimal QoL or somatic distress change at 2-3 weeks post-transplant compared with moderate-large effects for reduced QoL (d = 0.62) and increased somatic distress (d = - 0.81) for TAU patients. Thematic analysis suggests the manual helped prepare patients for transplant and provided strategies to improve distress and QoL. This pilot provides preliminary evidence for the benefit of a self-help manual during hospitalisation for a HSCT. More intensive, recovery-focussed care, however, may be needed to improve psychological health in the post-hospital period. Retrospectively registered trial (ANZCTR No. 12620001165976, 6th November 2020).

A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Treating Posttraumatic Psychopathology: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) is an intervention that targets common mechanisms that maintain symptoms across multiple disorders. The UP has been shown to be effective across many disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive episode (MDE), and panic disorder, that commonly codevelop following trauma exposure. The present study represented the first randomized controlled trial of the UP in the treatment of trauma-related psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms. Adults (N = 43) who developed posttraumatic psychopathology that included PTSD, MDE, or an anxiety disorder after sustaining a severe injury were randomly assigned to receive 10-14 weekly, 60-min sessions of UP (n = 22) or usual care (n = 21). The primary treatment outcome was PTSD symptom severity, with secondary outcomes of depression and anxiety symptom severity and loss of diagnosis for any trauma-related psychiatric disorder. Assessments were conducted at intake, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Posttreatment, participants who received the UP showed significantly larger reductions in PTSD, Hedges' g = 1.27; anxiety, Hedges' g = 1.20; and depression symptom severity, Hedges' g = 1.40, compared to those receiving usual care. These treatment effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up for PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptom severity. Statistically significant posttreatment loss of PTSD, MDE, and agoraphobia diagnoses was observed for participants who received the UP but not usual care. This study provides preliminary evidence that the UP may be an effective non-trauma-focused treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related psychopathology.

A prospective study of the relationship between sense of coherence, depression, anxiety, and quality of life of haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients over time.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of patient sense of coherence (SOC) on anxiety and depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) dimensions in the acute phase of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A secondary aim was to determine if SOC measured pre-transplant was predictive of psychological distress and QoL post-transplantation, after controlling for physical wellbeing. METHOD: A series of measures was completed by 60 HSCT patients prior to transplantation. Follow-up data were collected at 2-3 weeks and 3 months post-transplantation. Measures administered included the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Orientation to Life Questionnaire, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplantation. RESULTS: When compared across the three time points, depression levels, and physical and functional wellbeing were worst at 2-3 weeks post-transplantation. SOC was positively associated with physical wellbeing prior to HSCT but not after transplantation. Weaker SOC predicted higher levels of depression, and poorer social, emotional, and functional wellbeing at both follow-up points, after accounting for physical wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Given that SOC was related to depression and QoL dimensions post-transplantation, it may be important for health care professionals to conduct psychosocial assessments to determine patient SOC. This would enable provision of tailored psychological support prior to and following stem cell transplantation.

Psychosocial factors associated with quality of life in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients prior to transplant.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this retrospective study was to determine levels of psychological distress and quality of life (QoL) immediately prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The secondary aim was to examine the demographic, medical and psychosocial factors that were correlated with various QoL domains at this stage of treatment. METHODS: A series of measures was completed by 122 allograft patients as part of routine psychological assessment at the treating hospital prior to undergoing the transplant. These included the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF. Demographic and medical data were also extracted. RESULTS: In this study, 12% and 14% of the sample experienced significant levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Half of the sample reported impaired physical QoL, whereas approximately 40% reported poor psychological and social QoL. Besides relationship status, the limited number of demographic (age and gender) and medical factors (disease status) tested did not contribute significantly to reported QoL. After controlling for medical and demographic factors, weaker Fighting Spirit and higher levels of depression (trend towards significance) were associated with poorer physical and social QoL. CONCLUSIONS: The association among psychological distress, coping responses and QoL indicates that poor psychosocial functioning pre-transplant renders an increased likelihood of experiencing impaired QoL across various dimensions. It thus seems important that psychologically vulnerable patients are identified early in the treatment process. If psychosocial adjustment were improved, patients may experience better QoL pre-transplant with a potential subsequent influence on post-transplant outcomes.

Psychosocial factors predicting survival after allogeneic stem cell transplant.

PURPOSE: A primary aim was to assess the relative contribution of psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression and mental adjustment to cancer, to overall survival outcomes at a median follow-up of 2 years following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). A secondary aim was to ascertain if demographic, medical and psychosocial factors assessed prior to transplantation were predictors of survival for patients after accounting for post-transplant events. METHOD: Between 2005 and 2011, 130 allograft patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 as part of routine psychological assessment before undergoing transplantation. Survival status data were obtained, and predictors of survival status assessed and analysed using Cox-regression models. RESULTS: Thirteen percent experienced clinical levels of distress pre-transplant. None of the psychological factors predicted post-HSCT survival. In contrast, hierarchical multivariate analysis indicated that post-transplant factors (acute graft-versus-host disease and relapse post-transplant) predicted survival (Chi-square change, p < 0.001). The addition of a series of pre-transplant psychosocial and medical variables further improved the prediction of survival (Chi-square change, p = 0.01). In particular, relationship status (being single) (p = 0.04) and increased somatic symptoms (p = 0.02) pre-transplant were associated with shorter survival. Both variables were not associated with medical factors but were related to increased severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as greater use of helpless-hopelessness and reduced fighting spirit adjustment response. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the significant influence of acute post-transplant factors in predicting survival following allogeneic HSCT, multidisciplinary pre-transplant assessments are important in identifying patients who are likely to experience poorer survival outcomes.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Fear-Less: A Stepped-Care Program to Manage Fear of Cancer Recurrence in People with Metastatic Melanoma.

Immunotherapies and targeted therapies have revolutionised treatment of metastatic melanoma and improved survival rates. However, survivors treated with novel therapies are vulnerable to high levels of fear of cancer recurrence or progression (FCR). Existing FCR interventions have rarely been trialled in people with advanced cancer. The current study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of Fear-Less: a stepped-care model to treat FCR in people with metastatic melanoma treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Sixty-one outpatients with metastatic melanoma were screened using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory Short Form (FCRI-SF) and Fear of Progression Questionnaire Short Form (FoP-Q-SF). Survivors with subthreshold FCR were stratified to a self-management intervention while those with clinical levels of FCR were provided with an individual therapy, Conquer Fear. Survivor experience surveys and rescreening were administered post-intervention completion. Results indicated that Fear-Less was an acceptable and feasible FCR intervention. Results provided preliminary support for the potential impact of Fear-Less in reducing FCR. Fear-Less is a promising first step in providing an acceptable and feasible stepped-care model to treat FCR in survivors with metastatic disease.

Three Years After Black Saturday: Long-Term Psychosocial Adjustment of Burns Patients as a Result of a Major Bushfire.

Despite increasing evidence that burn injuries can result in multiple psychological sequelae, little is known about the long-term psychosocial adjustment to burns sustained in a major bushfire. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term psychological distress and health-related quality of life in Australian burns patients as a result of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Eight male and five female burns patients with a mean age of 53.92 (SD = 11.82) years who received treatment at a statewide burns service participated in the study. A battery of standardized questionnaires was administered to assess general psychological distress, burns-specific and generic health-related quality of life, alcohol use, and specific psychological symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. The results revealed that more than 3 years after Black Saturday 33% of the burns patients still suffered "high" to "very high" levels of general distress, whereas 58% fulfilled partial or full criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, participants still experienced significantly impaired physical health functioning as compared to their preinjury status including limitations in work-based activities, increased bodily pain, and lower vitality overall. The trajectory of distress varied for participants. Some individuals experienced little distress overall, whereas others displayed a decline in their stress levels over time. Notwithstanding, some patients maintained high levels of distress throughout or experienced an increase in distress at a later stage of recovery. The results point to the importance of psychosocial screening to identify distress early. Follow-up assessments are crucial to diagnose individuals with chronic or late onset of distress.

Inpatient views and experiences before and after implementing a totally smoke-free policy in the acute psychiatry hospital setting.

In the present study, we examined the views and experiences of patients admitted to an acute psychiatry unit before and after the implementation of a totally smoke-free policy. Forty-six inpatients completed a questionnaire assessing their views before the smoking ban. Another 52 inpatients completed a questionnaire assessing their views and experiences after the smoking ban. Before the totally smoke-free policy, 69.6% smoked, with 67.7% smoking more when admitted to the psychiatry ward. Before the smoking ban, 54.4% reported that the totally smoke-free policy would be 'negative' or 'very negative,' and 30.5% said it would be 'positive' or 'very positive.' After the totally smoke-free policy, 57.7% smoked heavily before hospital (mean cigarettes/day = 24.9), with consumption dramatically reducing following admission to a totally smoke-free psychiatric unit (mean cigarettes/day = 8.3). After the totally smoke-free policy, 36.5% reported that it was 'negative' or 'very negative,' and 50% reported that it was 'positive' or 'very positive.' Overall, inpatients reported improved acceptance of the policy following implementation. Inpatients stated that the most difficult thing about the smoking ban was experiencing increased negative emotions, while the most positive aspect was the improved physical environment of the ward. Inpatients who smoke must be appropriately supported using a range of strategies, and in the present study, we suggest relevant clinical implications.

Routine screening for psychological distress on an Australian inpatient haematology and oncology ward: impact on use of psychosocial services.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes and clinical experience of a 12-week pilot study of routine distress screening of newly admitted patients to an acute haematology and oncology ward. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND SETTING: Bedside measurement of psychological distress, and collection of demographic and clinical data for 115 newly admitted patients in an acute haematology and oncology ward of The Alfred hospital in Melbourne between 5 June and 25 August 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychosocial distress as measured by the Distress Thermometer and Problem Checklist, and 18-item Brief Symptom Inventory; rate of referral to psychology and social work services in the 12 weeks before and 12 weeks during the pilot study; ward staff feedback on the benefits and challenges associated with routine distress screening. RESULTS: 51% of patients were identified as being significantly distressed, of whom 47% had not received psychosocial support before screening. A significantly higher number of emotional and physical problems were reported by significantly distressed patients. Referrals to psychology and social work services during the pilot study increased, highlighting that screening directed more patients into care. Staff were generally positive about the ability of routine screening to help them care for their patients, and most agreed that some form of routine screening should continue. CONCLUSION: The use of routine distress screening by inpatient cancer services can significantly improve their capacity to offer psychosocial care.