Effects of Compassion Training to Patients Undergoing HSCT on Biological and Psychosocial Parameters
Condition: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) experience is emotionally and physically
      stressful for cancer patients who undergo this procedure. This study aims to evaluate the
      effects of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) on depression and anxiety symptoms,
      levels of resilience, hope and self-compassion in patients undergoing HSCT and their
      caregivers. As well as assessing the effects of CBCT on clinical conditions in patients and
      cortical activity and heart rate variability in caregivers.
    

Detailed description: 
      The study hopes to show the positive effects of compassion training in patients and their
      caregivers.

      Overall aim:

      This study aims to evaluate the effects of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) on:
      depression and anxiety symptoms; levels of hope; resilience; mindfulness; self-compassion and
      quality of life. The study also aims to demonstrate whether CBCT training has any effect on
      clinical parameters of transplanted patients, as well as whether it has an effect on cortical
      activity and heart rate variability inpatients and caregivers.

      Specific objectives:

        1. Develop an adaptation of the CBCT protocol for hospitalized patients;

        2. To evaluate the effect of CBCT on depressive and anxious symptoms in patients and their
           caregivers;

        3. To evaluate the effect of CBCT on resilience, quality of life and self-compassion in
           patients and their caregivers;

        4. Investigating the CBCT training results in altering the cortical activity of patients
           and caregivers while performing a recall task of recent autobiographical experiences;

        5. Investigate whether CBCT training results in changes in heart rate variability in
           patients and caregivers;

        6. To investigate whether CBCT training has any effect on patient's levels of symptoms,
           such as: pain, nausea, insomnia, among others;

        7. To evaluate how correlations between psychosocial factors and biological markers:
           cortical activity and heart rate variability;

        8. Evaluate perceptions and impressions of patients and caregivers on the protocol.
    

Intervention name(s): CBCT Intervention
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The training consists of six weekly sessions. The participant will receive six guided meditation audio, relative to each session, to practice during the week.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Intervention group: The compassion intervention (CBCT) will be performed during the period of hospitalization, in the hospital room, and will be applied simultaneously to the patient his caregiver.
Control Group: Patients and caregivers in the control group will receive standard hospital care. Patients and caregivers of the control group will receive the same compassion intervention at the end of the study.
Masking: Double (Participant, Care Provider)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: hematopoietic stem cell transplant; cancer; compassion; meditation; depression; anxiety; heart rate variability; resilience