Reminiscence Therapy as a Potential Method to Improve Psychological Health and Quality of Life in Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundReminiscence therapy mitigates psychological issues and improves the quality of life of cancer survivors. However, its role in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Thus, we aimed to detect the effect of reminiscence therapy on anxiety, depression, and the quality of life of elderly patients with HCC.MethodsIn total, 106 elderly patients with HCC after resection were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the reminiscence therapy group (N = 54) and control care group (N = 52) and then received intervention for 12 months. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline [Month (M) 0], 3 months (M3), 6 months (M6), 9 months (M9), and 12 months (M12). Meanwhile, quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life Questionnaire—Core 30 (QLQ-C30) at M0, M6, and M12.ResultsThe HADS for anxiety score at M9 (6.8 ± 2.3 vs. 7.8 ± 2.4, P = 0.039) and M12 (6.6 ± 2.4 vs. 7.8 ± 2.6, P = 0.013) and the anxiety proportion at M12 (27.8% vs. 46.2%, P = 0.050) were reduced in the reminiscence therapy group compared with those in the control care group. Moreover, the HADS for depression score declined at M9 (6.6 ± 2.0 vs. 7.5 ± 2.2, P = 0.025) and M12 (6.3 ± 2.3 vs. 7.7 ± 2.6, P = 0.005), but the proportion of those with depression was not different at each visit (P > 0.05) in the reminiscence therapy group compared with that of the control care group. In addition, the QLQ-C30 global health status score increased at M6 (71.3 ± 12.8 vs. 66.3 ± 12.9, P = 0.048) and M12 (74.5 ± 12.9 vs. 68.2 ± 13.3, P = 0.014) in the reminiscence therapy group compared to that in the control care group.ConclusionReminiscence therapy effectively mitigates anxiety and depression and improves the quality of life of elderly patients with HCC.

The Efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy in Cancer-Related Symptom Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The possible reasons for these results might be that conversational function, boredom reduction, and intimacy maintenance of RT can indirectly help elders improve life satisfaction and reduce perceived stress and enhance their motivation, further improving the QoL in cancer patients. 73 , 74 …”

Effect of multi-disciplinary team care program on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after surgery: A randomized, controlled study

“…Meanwhile, a comprehensive education and care program improves QoL, anxiety and depression, and prolongs survival in patients with HCC undergoing surgical resection (11). In addition, our previous study also illustrates reminiscence therapy-based care ameliorates QoL, anxiety and depression in elderly patients with HCC (12). Considering that poor QoL, anxiety and depression are still prevalent and positively associated with HCC mortality (13)(14)(15), it is necessary to explore novel intervention to manage the QoL, anxiety, and depression in HCC patients.…”

Reminiscence therapy care program as a potential nursing intervention to relieve anxiety, depression, and quality of life in older papillary thyroid carcinoma patients: A randomized, controlled study

“…This study discovered that anxiety and depression were attenuated to some extent in the RT-CP group compared with the U-CP group. The potential reasons might be that: ( Megwalu and Moon, 2022 ) RT-CP encouraged older PTC patients to recall and share past positive memories, which would make them feel valued and connected ( Liu and Li, 2021 ; Zhao, 2021 ; Sanabria et al, 2022 ) older PTC patients were likely to develop negative emotions, such as lonely, abandoned, unhappy, self-isolated, etc., while RT-CP allowed them to share pleasant memories with others, which helped these patients to regain hope, confidence, and self-esteem, thus helping them to have an optimistic mindset towards life ( Li et al, 2022 ). Thereby RT-CP could eliminate anxiety and depression to some extent in older PTC patients.…”

“…( Sanabria et al, 2022 ) RT-CP could also enhance the function score to some extent. The possible explanation would be that: as discussed above, RT-CP could improve patients’ mental health by recalling and sharing pleasant memories with others, which helped them to restore emotional, cognitive, and social functions; additionally, RT-PC also provided health education, which might assist patients in restoring physical and role functions ( Liu and Li, 2021 ; Zhao, 2021 ; Zhou and Sun, 2021 ; Li et al, 2022 ). Taking these together, the function score was also increased in the RT-CP group compared to the U-CP group.…”

“…( McDow et al, 2021 ) The symptom score was decreased in the RT-CP group in contrast with the U-CP group. The possible argument would be that: RT-CP helped patients to interact with others, which might allow them to better understand how to deal with symptoms, including fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting ( Zhao, 2021 ; Huang et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2022 ). However, health education was also provided in the U-CP group.…”