title: Meaning-centered dream work with hospice patients: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hospice patients often struggle with loss of meaning, while many experience meaningful dreams. The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary exploration into the process and therapeutic outcomes of meaning-centered dream work with hospice patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A meaning-centered variation of the cognitive-experiential model of dream work (Hill, 1996; 2004) was tested with participants. This variation was influenced by the tenets of meaning-centered psychotherapy (Breitbart et al., 2012). A total of 12 dream-work sessions were conducted with 7 hospice patients (5 women), and session transcripts were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research (CQR) method (Hill, 2012). Participants also completed measures of gains from dream interpretation in terms of existential well-being and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' dreams generally featured familiar settings and living family and friends. Reported images from dreams were usually connected to feelings, relationships, and the concerns of waking life. Participants typically interpreted their dreams as meaning that they needed to change their way of thinking, address legacy concerns, or complete unfinished business. Generally, participants developed and implemented action plans based on these interpretations, despite their physical limitations. Participants described dream-work sessions as meaningful, comforting, and helpful. High scores on a measure of gains from dream interpretation were reported, consistent with qualitative findings. No adverse effects were reported or indicated by assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provided initial support for the feasibility and helpfulness of dream work in this population. Implications for counseling with the dying and directions for future research were also explored.
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York,Buffalo,New York.
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care,Buffalo,New York.
authors.forename: Pei C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York,Buffalo,New York.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Depner
authors.affiliation: Canisius College,Buffalo,New York.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.affiliation: The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care,Buffalo,New York.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kerr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004325:Dreams / Q000523:psychology*; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Dream work; End of life; Existential well-being; Hospice; Meaning; Palliative care