Psychotherapy to Support Caregivers of People With Advanced Cancer Meaning-Centered and Supportive Therapy Options

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers MCP-C compared to standard Supportive Psychotherapy for Caregivers SP-C in people caring for patients with advanced cancer. The study focuses on improving caregivers sense of meaning, spiritual well-being, and mental health, addressing common challenges such as caregiver burden, burnout, and stress. It is designed as a randomized behavioral intervention without masking. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either MCP-C, an innovative, manualized therapy that helps caregivers find meaning and purpose despite caregiving challenges, or SP-C, which represents standard supportive psychotherapy. Both therapies consist of 7 sessions. Questionnaires assessing meaning, spiritual well-being, depression, anxiety, and social support are completed before therapy starts and at approximately 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the last session. Participants may continue with therapy even if their loved one passes away. During the study, participants complete four sets of questionnaires taking about 35 to 50 minutes each, providing information on their life attitude, spiritual well-being, anxiety, depression, and caregiver experiences. The primary outcomes include improvements on the Life Attitude Profile-Revised and FACIT Spiritual Well-Being Scale over one year. Secondary measures assess anxiety, depression, benefit finding, caregiver reactions, and social support. Participation ends after the last questionnaire unless participants choose otherwise.

A Study of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Caregivers to People With Cancer