title: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Meaning-Based Intervention for Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Spouses: A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constructing meaning in cancer leads to improved psychosocial outcomes for patients and survivors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a meaning-based intervention for couples.
  
  
  METHODS
  The single-arm pilot study tested a 4-session, tailored, activities-based couple's intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adults with incurable cancer and their partners participated either in a university office or at the couple's home.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed good feasibility. One of the two patients depressed at baseline was no longer depressed at postintervention. Patients' threat appraisals decreased and transcendence increased. In partners, depression, anxiety, and challenge appraisal decreased; threat and secondary appraisals and peace with illness increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest feasibility and efficacy, and further research and continued evaluation of this intervention are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Linda F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Nasser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA sbigatti@iu.edu.
authors.forename: Silvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bigatti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: anxiety; couples focus; depression; end of life; meaning-making intervention; transcendental concerns