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SPAMLO-3.0 : Having Fun Shedding Light on Darkness, a Playful Approach to Reduce Anxiety in Palliative Care
NCT07070869
End-of-life care is often accompanied by anxiety-not only for patients in palliative care, but also for their loved ones and the healthcare professionals supporting them. This anxiety may stem from a fear of death, loss of functional abilities, or a worsening of symptoms as the illness progresses.
It contributes to emotional, psychological, and physical suffering, ultimately diminishing patients' quality of life. Most data on palliative care focus on cancer patients, among whom anxiety prevalence varies greatly, but may affect more than 70% of individuals.
Currently, anxiety in palliative care patients is managed through non-pharmacological approaches (such as environmental modifications and relaxation techniques) and/or pharmacological treatments (including antidepressants, neuroleptics, and anxiolytics).
The investigators recently developed the serious game SPAMLO with the aim to present and raise awareness about palliative care. The educational scenario was built around three settings: the hospital, the home, and the nursing home (EHPAD). The participant will follow Vito, a virtual character, whose sister is receiving palliative care. Vito will explore the different types of support available, starting at the hospital. He will learn about what a collegial discussion is, the Clayes-Léonetti law, advance directives, the trusted person, as well as the specificities of pediatrics. Through home hospitalization, Vito will discover palliative care outside the hospital setting, including home adaptations with appropriate equipment and the various available support services. Finally, Vito will visit the nursing home, where topics such as oral care, respecting the patient's choices, and the importance of preserving them will be addressed.
Thanks to its playful approach and the knowledge gained, this game could help reduce anxiety in palliative care patients through non-pharmacological means. This research project has beeen co-designed with a JALMALV volunteer (Accompany life until death - french association).
Palliative CareSerious GamesAnxiety
Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Brieuc280 participantsStarted Jul 2025 