A Proof-of-Concept Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

A Proof-of-Concept Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

The goal of this research study is to find out if a novel phone-based positive psychology intervention that focuses on improving health behaviors and positive emotions can help improve mood, health related quality of life, and overall function in patients who have just undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as part of blood cancer treatment.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a rigorous treatment for blood cancer patients that can be life-saving, but often causes psychological distress. The investigators hope that this study will help the research team to develop and implement a positive psychological intervention designed to help HSCT patients increase positive emotions such as hope, gratitude, and fulfillment while recovering from a stem cell transplant. Participants will be selected after receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant treatment in the past 30 days at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI).

In this project, the investigators hope to:

1. Test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, 8-week, phone-based positive psychology intervention in a small cohort of post-HSCT patients (N = 30).
2. Explore potential benefits of completing the intervention on outcomes of interest, such as positive affect and overall function.

Baseline information about enrolled participants will be obtained from patients from the electronic medical record as required for characterization of our population. This information will include data regarding medical history, current medical variables, medications, and sociodemographic data.

Participants will be approached upon nearing their discharge from the hospital, approximately 30 days after their transplant. Between the time of their discharge and their 100-day post-transplant visit, there will be three check-in/psychosocial support phone calls at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after discharge to build rapport and discuss their recovery. Then, at week 14, participants will meet with the principal investigator to complete self-assessment questionnaires. The participants will then complete an 8-week phone-based positive psychology intervention, at the end of which the self-assessment questionnaires will be repeated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients with hematologic malignancies hospitalized for allogeneic HSCT at the DFCI inpatient units who are medically stable and appropriate for study approach
• Ability to speak, read and write English
• Access to a telephone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current major depressive episode, bipolar disorder, psychosis or active substance use disorder diagnosed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
• Cognitive deficits impeding a study participant's ability to provide informed consent or participate adequately in the study assessed via the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS)
• Medical conditions precluding interviews