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Meaning-centered psychotherapy integrated with elements of compassion: A pilot study to assess feasibility and utility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2018

Francisco Gil ,
Clara Fraguell ,
Llúcia Benito ,
Anna Casellas-Grau  and
Joaquin T. Limonero
Francisco Gil*
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Clara Fraguell
Affiliation:
Mutuam-EAPS Barcelona; Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Llúcia Benito
Affiliation:
Control and Preventive Service, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Anna Casellas-Grau
Affiliation:
Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Joaquin T. Limonero
Affiliation:
Stress and Health Research Group, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
*
Author for correspondence: Francisco Gil. Psycho-oncology Unit, Duran i Reynals Hospital, Institut Catala d’Oncologia, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

The main objective of this study is to establish emotional benefits of promoting and maintaining meaning in palliative care patients in the final weeks of life and to assess the benefits of including the compassion and self-compassion constructs in the Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy Model (MCP).

Method

Fifty-one cancer inpatients were randomly assigned to one of the three brief interventions for cancer patients in the end of life: the MCP-palliative care version, the MCP-compassionate palliative care (MCP-CPC), or standard counseling. Feasibility, acceptability, and utility were assessed in each condition. Likewise, patients’ opinions about the effectiveness of interventions’ elements were also collected.

Result

Of the 51 patients that began one of the three interventions, 30 completed the three-session interventional program, as well as the pre- and posttreatment questionnaires. No significant differences were found between therapies in terms of the positive feedback of patients regarding the structure, focus, and length of the all three psychotherapeutic interventions. The most helpful elements or constructs reported by patients were meaning, self-compassion, compassion, legacy, and courage and commitment.

Significance of results

An abbreviated version of MCP-CPC tailored to the needs of palliative care patients appears to be feasible, acceptable, and helps patients cope with the process of dying. Further research in bigger samples is needed to establish evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of a brief MCP-CPC for palliative care patients in their last weeks of life. More proposals of further elements are also needed to improve the results. Such research can create or refine previous treatment approaches which improve the quality of life and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Keywords

MeaningPsychotherapySelf-compassionCancerAdvanced cancer
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 643 - 647
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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