Objective
This study aims to determine the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the 6‐item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) among older adults in Malaysia.
Methods
A total of 200 participants aged 50 years and older completed the questionnaire in which 81 participants completed in BM. A subsample of 30 participants was retested after a period of 2 weeks.
Results
The DJGLS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.71) and high test‐retest reliability (r = 0.93). Convergent validity was demonstrated by moderate positive correlation between total DJGLS loneliness score and UCLA loneliness scale (ULS‐8) (r = 0.56, n = 81, P < 0.001). Significant associations were found between loneliness and sex, ethnicity, geographic area and marital status.
Conclusion
The BM version of the 6‐item DJGLS is a reliable and valid loneliness measure for use among older adults in Malaysia.
Objective
Suffering is a common experience in palliative care. In our study, we aimed to determine the effect of 5‐min mindfulness of love on suffering and the spiritual quality of life of palliative care patients.
Methods
We conducted a parallel‐group, blinded, randomized controlled study at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia from February 2019 to April 2019. Sixty adult palliative care patients with an overall suffering score of 4/10 or above based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either the 5‐min mindfulness of love group (N = 30) or the 5‐min supportive listening group (N = 30).
Results
There were statistically significant improvements in the overall suffering score (mean difference = −2.9, CI = −3.7 to −2.1, t = −7.268, p = 0.000) and the total FACIT‐Sp‐12 score (mean difference = 2.9, CI = 1.5 to 4.3, t = 4.124, p = 0.000) in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The results provided evidence that 5‐min mindfulness of love could affect the actual state of suffering and the spiritual quality of life of palliative care patients.
ContextNumerous studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress and improve quality of life.ObjectiveOur study aimed to examine the effect of mindful gratitude journaling on suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.MethodsWe 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).ResultsAfter 1 week, 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=−2.7 to −1.4, t=−6.125, p=0.000) and the control group (mean difference in overall suffering score=−1.6, 95% CI=−2.3 to −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=−5.3 to −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=1.5 to 13.1, t=2.460, p=0.014) in the intervention group after 7 days, but not in the control group.ConclusionThe results provide evidence that 7 days of mindful gratitude journaling could positively affect the state of suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.Trial registration numberThe trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN1261800172191) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
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