Impact of educational interventions on psychological distress during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a randomized study.

Abstract

Background
 Physical and psychological factors, like wrong attitudes and behaviours, can negatively influence health outcomes of the patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). Educational interventions aiming to improve knowledge on side effects, risks, complications and preventive behaviour can reduce psychological distress, and improve quality of life (QoL). We aimed to compare a standard approach with therapeutic patient education (TPE) to analyse the impact on AHSCT patients’ QoL, psychological distress and knowledge of AHSCT side effects, risks complications and preventive behaviour.
 Material and methods
 A prospective interventional study was conducted analysing data of 36 patients who received one of two different educational approaches, which were a standard approach (not-exposed) or TPE (exposed).
 Results
 In the exposed group QoL improved 14 days after transplantation (42.2 vs 25.6; p<0.03) and at time of discharge (36.6 vs 54.4; p<0.005). Anxiety and depression was better controlled in the exposed group, both at hospitalization and discharge (anxiety: 48.1 vs 53.2; 46.4 vs 51.6. p<0.04; depression: 49 vs 55.3; 48 vs 54.3 , p<0.03). Knowledge of AHSCT risks and complications improved in exposed patients, both at admission (10.1/15 vs 8/15 correct answers; p<0.01) and discharge (10.7/15 vs 8.8/15 correct answer; p<0.03).
 Conclusion
 The TPE for AHSCT patients improved knowledge, reduced anxiety and depression, which consequently increasing QoL. Therefore, we recommend our approach to further engage patients in the treatment plan, which should specifically take place prior to AHSCT initiation.

The Effect of Educational Intervention on Care Dependency and Symptom Management After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Theory-Based Randomized Controlled Study

“…According to Qiao et al (2021), patient education was effective in cognitive symptom management [25]. Cioce et al (2020) have found that educational intervention was effective in terms of QoL and some symptoms experienced by patients who underwent HSCT such as anxiety and depression [31]. A study con- ducted by Sherman et al (2012) has revealed that psychoeducation plus telephone counseling was effective to improve patients' overall health, psychological well-being, and social adjustment [46].…”

“…A printed booklet for educating patients was prepared after reviewing the literature [26,27,31,32]. The booklet was evaluated by 10 different professionals, namely two hematologists, four hematology nurses, and four nursing academicians.…”

The efficacy of information interventions for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review of randomized trials

“…The material of the present study was primary based on nine articles that were further reviewed to ensure consistency with the search aim. [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] In one of these studies, the participants were all diagnosed with blood cancer, however the HSCT therapy was applied to almost one quarter (22.6%, n=42) of the total sample. This percentage was congruent with the predefined inclusion criteria, so the study was included in the final results.…”

Psychosocial aspects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

“…Education on HSCT is recommended for all recipients to improve their knowledge of medication side effects, risks and complications[ 92 ]. These educational interventions enhance patients and their families’ knowledge about HSCT, reduce anxiety and depression and increase QOL[ 92 ].…”

“…Education on HSCT is recommended for all recipients to improve their knowledge of medication side effects, risks and complications[ 92 ]. These educational interventions enhance patients and their families’ knowledge about HSCT, reduce anxiety and depression and increase QOL[ 92 ]. In a recent qualitative study, patients expressed a desire for additional education about late complications and post-BMT QOL because they felt that complications were often unexpected, with profound negative effects on their QOL and recovery[ 93 ].…”