Dyadic Life Review Intervention for Older Patients With Advanced Cancer) and Their Caregivers

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a Dyadic Life Review Intervention for Older Patients With Advanced Cancer) and Their Caregivers

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing Dyadic Life Review (DLR) intervention in older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers to Care-as-Usual (CAU) group, which involves a referral to social work.

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing Dyadic Life Review (DLR) intervention in older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers to Care-as-Usual (CAU) group, which involves a referral to social work. The study will enroll dyads (pairs) of caregivers and older patients with advanced cancer and dyads of caregivers and patients with advanced cancer. A previous single-arm study was performed testing the feasibility of the adapted DLR intervention in older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers. The single-arm pilot demonstrated DLR was feasible and acceptable by both patients and caregivers. This innovative pilot study will gather data to test the feasibility of a pilot and examine pre-post intervention changes in caregiver psychological distress.

Patient Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 65
• Patient has a Stage III or IV advanced cancer diagnosis of any type
• Score of 4 or more on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT)*
• Able to read and understand English

Patient Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to identify caregiver to participate in study

Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:

• One caregiver must enroll with each patient for either subject to be eligible.
• Caregivers will be selected by the patient when asked if there is a "significant other, spouse, romantic partner, or adult child with whom you discuss or can be helpful in health-related matters;"
• Age 50 or older
• Able to reach and understand English

Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:

• Caregivers unable to provide consent