Virtual Dignity Therapy for Palliative Care Patients With Advanced Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if it is feasible and acceptable to recruit for and deliver the Virtual Dignity Therapy intervention to palliative care patients with advanced cancer.

Detailed Description
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This study is an investigator-initiated, single site Mayo Clinic Rochester prospective minimal risk pilot study to determine feasibility and acceptability of Virtual Dignity Therapy. The Dignity Therapy intervention is a brief, individualized psychotherapy that aims to relieve psycho-emotional and existential distress and improve the experiences of patients whose lives are impacted by serious illness. This therapy offers patients an opportunity to reflect on their life with a trained facilitator and share their thoughts and memories with family and other people in their life. This therapy consists of a total of 3 sessions, with each session 2-4 weeks apart, in which the investigator provides questions focused on life review. The sessions are recorded and transcribed. The interventionist will work with patients to edit the document and provide a final generativity document for patient to keep and give to loved ones.

Official Title
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Feasibility and Acceptability of Virtual Dignity Therapy for Palliative Care Patients With Advanced Cancer

Conditions
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Advanced Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Virtual Dignity Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥18 years English fluency No diagnosed dementia Diagnosis of advanced cancer Expected prognosis > 6 months Provide informed consent Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance Exclusion Criteria: Other psychological co-morbidities such as untreated schizophrenia, bipolar disease Recent suicide attempt or psychiatric illness severe enough that hospitalization has been necessary in last 6 months Active delirium Participation in concurrent legacy offerings through the palliative care clinic Inclusion Criteria for caregivers: Age ≥18 years English fluency Provide informed consent Supported patient through Dignity Therapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Virtual Dignity Therapy<br> | Behavioral: Virtual Dignity Therapy<br>* Virtual Dignity Therapy will be facilitated by a registered nurse or medical doctor trained in Dignity Therapy.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Feasibility Number | Study feasibility will be measured by the number of participants who enrolled and finished the study. | 2 Years | 
| Acceptability | Acceptability, as measured by the 7-item Was it Worth It (WIWI Questionnaire).The questions are answered as either yes, no, or uncertain, overall perception of quality of life change, overall perception of study experience, one open-ended feedback question, and an option to talk with someone about concerns. Positive responses indicate acceptability. Results are reported as individual items. | Week 8 (after 3rd intervention session) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Dignity Therapy