title: Psychosocial adaptation of patients and families following bone marrow transplantation: a prospective, longitudinal study.
abstract: Using a prospective, repeated measures design, this study investigated the psychosocial functioning of patients and a close relative pre- and post-allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). All patients (n = 28) undergoing BMT in a 1 year period, and their relatives, were interviewed 1 week pre-transplant and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-BMT, using quantitative and qualitative measures. Pre-transplant data revealed a high level of anxiety (61% with moderate to severe anxiety), and a low level of depression (14% with moderate to severe depression). Twelve patients died in the study period. For the surviving patients there was a statistically significant improvement in physical, psychological and social functioning. Most relatives (88%) reported considerable psychological distress pre-transplant and at 3 months post-transplant, but this was largely resolved by 12 months post-transplant. Significant correlations between the relative's distress and patient's physical and psychological wellbeing were observed at 3 months post-transplant, but not at the other assessment points. The findings from this study will help in counselling patients and their relatives as to what to expect in the year following BMT.
authors.affiliation: Health Research Board, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duggan
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous