Living with Hope: Initial Evaluation of a Psychosocial Hope Intervention for Older Palliative Home Care Patients

Abstract

The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial supportive intervention called the "Living with Hope Program" (LWHP) in increasing hope and quality of life for older adult, community-living, terminally ill cancer patients. Using a mixed method concurrent nested experimental design, 60 terminally ill cancer patients over the age of 60 years were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group. Baseline hope (Herth Hope Index [HHI]) and quality-of-life scores (McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire [MQOL]) were collected at the first visit in the patients' homes by trained research assistants. Those in the treatment group received the LWHP, which consisted of viewing an international award-winning video on hope and a choice of one of three hope activities to work on over a one-week period. The control group received standard care. Hope and quality-of-life data were collected one week later from both groups. Qualitative data using open-ended hope questions were collected from the treatment group. Patients receiving the LWHP had statistically significant higher hope (U=255, P=0.005) and quality-of-life scores at Visit 2 (U=294.5, P=0.027) than those in the control group. Qualitative data confirmed this finding, with the majority (61.5%) of patients in the treatment group reporting the LWHP increased their hope. This preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of the LWHP suggests that it may increase hope and quality of life for older terminally ill cancer patients at home.

Associations Between Change in Hope and Change in Physical Activity in a Pediatric Weight Management Program

“…In fact, multiple investigations have reported on hope's amenability to change (among children and adolescents) in the intervention context (McNeal et al, 2006;Weis & Ash, 2009); however, it is important to note that neither study specifically aimed to increase hope through targeted intervention. Although such studies do not support a directional relationship between hope and treatment outcomes, other hope-based interventions have demonstrated success and have been associated with subsequent reductions in emotional stressors (Berg, Snyder & Hamilton, 2008;Cheavens, Feldman, Gum, Michael & Snyder, 2006;Curry & Maniar, 2003;Duggleby et al, 2007). For example, Duggleby et al (2007) reported significant increases in hope and quality of life for older adults participating in a hope intervention, compared to participants in the control condition.…”

The Nature of Hope among Iranian Cancer Patients

“…Some of the major properities of the concept of hope include focus on the future, positivity, realism, andgoaldirectness (Benzein and Saveman., 1998). According to the importance of hope for cancer patients, most of studies exploring this concept have been conducted among cancer patients (Duggleby et al, 2007). So, maintaining and inspiring of hope is the core of care for cancer patients (Duggleby et al, 2007;Tutton et al, 2009).…”

“…According to the importance of hope for cancer patients, most of studies exploring this concept have been conducted among cancer patients (Duggleby et al, 2007). So, maintaining and inspiring of hope is the core of care for cancer patients (Duggleby et al, 2007;Tutton et al, 2009). The literature review revealed some studies that surveyed level of hope among Iranian cancer patients.…”

Hope and Advanced Breast Cancer: Engaging with the Parish Nursing Community to Explore Hope in Women with Advanced Breast Cancer in Nigeria

“…Therefore parish nursing represents a significant perspective that is valuable to many people in Nigeria. Specifically focusing on the concept of hope brings a practical and valuable psychological resource that is beneficial for individuals and families in the context of various illnesses such as advanced breast cancer (Duggleby et al, 2007;Duggleby, Williams & Wright, 2005;Martocchio, 1985;). However, according to Nekolaichuk et al (1999), the nature of the hope experience is invidualized within unique contexts.…”