A Manualised Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention For People With Hematological Cancers In Greece

Hematological cancers and their treatments can significantly affect the body, social interactions, and psychological health of individuals who experience them. However, such traumatic experiences provide individuals with the opportunity to change and experience what is known as post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is defined as the positive psychological changes that happen after a traumatic life crisis, and in people with cancer has been connected to biopsychosocial variables like quality of life and biomarkers. The objectives of this non-pharmacological randomized controlled trial with pre-post measures are implemented in two phases. Phase 1 - Post-traumatic growth intervention: (1) Develop a post-traumatic growth intervention manual, (2) Investigate the feasibility of implementing a post-traumatic growth intervention in the Greek healthcare system, (3) Assess the effectiveness of a psychological intervention in increasing post-traumatic growth and other biopsychosocial variables in people with hematological cancers. Phase 2 - Policy recommendations for the Greek healthcare system: (1) Develop best practice guide on the psychosocial support of people with hematological malignancies in Greece, (2) Develop health policy recommendations on the integration of psychosocial interventions in oncological health care in Greece. In this context, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the findings of interventions in the post-traumatic development of people with cancer was conducted and published (https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6241). The conclusions of the meta-analysis (e.g., components, methods) contributed to the development of an intervention manual (that features education, self-reflection, behavioral activation, connecting and sharing with others, processing and coping with trauma, emotional regulation techniques, and an introduction to mindfulness meditation). Following this, a pilot study (n = 6) was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the manual in this setting. Participants also shared their views and experiences of the intervention. What follows is a randomized controlled trial, recruiting from major hospitals and patient societies. Measurements include questionnaires (e.g., quality of life, anxiety, depression) and biomarkers (CRP, hemoglobin, albumin). Participants in the experimental group (expected n = 40) will participate in 9 weekly group meetings lasting 120 minutes each, for 6-10 people. Participants in the control group will receive usual care without any intervention (expected n = 40), but will be offered the intervention after the main study is completed. Participants will be assessed at baseline and at follow-up intervals, using self-reported questionnaires, a brief cognitive assessment (namely the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and biomarkers. This is one of the first randomized controlled trials in post-traumatic growth for people with hematologic cancers and is expected to contribute to the available evidence-based interventions for people with hematologic cancers through publications in peer-reviewed journals.