Effects of Compassion Training to Patients Undergoing HSCT on Biological and Psychosocial Parameters

Effects of the Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) Adapted to Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and Their Caregivers on Biological and Psychosocial Parameters

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.

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients referred for HSCT attended at Albert Einstein Hospital, as well as their respective caregivers.

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of severe psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases.