TY - JOUR
T1 - Mindful gratitude journaling
T2 - psychological distress, quality of life and suffering in advanced cancer: a randomised controlled trial
AU - Tan, Ting Ting
AU - Tan, Maw Pin
AU - Lam, Chee Loong
AU - Loh, Ee Chin
AU - Capelle, David Paul
AU - Zainuddin, Sheriza Izwa
AU - Ang, Bin Ting
AU - Lim, Min Ai
AU - Lai, Natalie Zi
AU - Tung, Yu Zhen
AU - Yee, Hway Ann
AU - Ng, Chong Guan
AU - Ho, Gwo Fuang
AU - See, Mee Hoong
AU - Teh, Mei Sze
AU - Lai, Lee Lee
AU - Singh, Ranjit Kaur Pritam
AU - Chai, Chee Shee
AU - Ng, Diana Leh Ching
AU - Tan, Seng Beng
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding The study was supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia (FRGS/1/2019/SKK02/UNIMAS/02/01).
Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023.
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Context Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress and improve quality of life. Objective Our study aimed to examine the effect of mindful gratitude journaling on suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Methods We conducted a parallel-group, blinded, randomised controlled trial at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Ninety-two adult patients with advanced cancer, and an overall suffering score ≥4/10 based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either a mindful gratitude journaling group (N=49) or a routine journaling group (N=43). Results After 1week, there were significant reductions in the overall suffering score from the baseline in both the intervention group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-2.0, 95% CI=-2.7to -1.4, t=-6.125, p=0.000) and the control group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-1.6, 95% CI=-2.3to -0.8, t=-4.106, p=0.037). There were also significant improvements in the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (mean difference=-3.4, 95% CI=-5.3to -1.5, t=-3.525, p=0.000) and the total Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being score (mean difference=7.3, 95% CI=1.5to 13.1, t=2.460, p=0.014) in the intervention group after 7days, but not in the control group. Conclusion The results provide evidence that 7days of mindful gratitude journaling could positively affect the state of suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.
AB - Context Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress and improve quality of life. Objective Our study aimed to examine the effect of mindful gratitude journaling on suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Methods We conducted a parallel-group, blinded, randomised controlled trial at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Ninety-two adult patients with advanced cancer, and an overall suffering score ≥4/10 based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either a mindful gratitude journaling group (N=49) or a routine journaling group (N=43). Results After 1week, there were significant reductions in the overall suffering score from the baseline in both the intervention group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-2.0, 95% CI=-2.7to -1.4, t=-6.125, p=0.000) and the control group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-1.6, 95% CI=-2.3to -0.8, t=-4.106, p=0.037). There were also significant improvements in the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (mean difference=-3.4, 95% CI=-5.3to -1.5, t=-3.525, p=0.000) and the total Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being score (mean difference=7.3, 95% CI=1.5to 13.1, t=2.460, p=0.014) in the intervention group after 7days, but not in the control group. Conclusion The results provide evidence that 7days of mindful gratitude journaling could positively affect the state of suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85109892119
U2 - 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003068
DO - 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003068
M3 - Article
C2 - 34244182
AN - SCOPUS:85109892119
SN - 2045-435X
VL - 13
SP - E389-E396
JO - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JF - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
IS - e2
ER -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being