Supporting Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Family Caregivers: A Pilot Study of Nurse-Led Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers

Family caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) experience significant challenges (e.g., witnessing suffering and experiencing loss and uncertainty) that contribute to existential distress and poor psychosocial outcomes. Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C) is a palliative-based intervention that targets existential distress by helping caregivers connect to sources of meaning in their lives.

Test the feasibility and acceptability of nurse-delivered Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C) for caregivers of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients.

Single-arm pilot trial of 7-session palliative-based intervention delivered via Zoom/telephone. We enrolled 32 caregivers of adult autologous/allogeneic HSCT recipients at a tertiary care academic center. Feasibility was assessed by (1) ability to recruit 32 caregivers within the 20-month study enrollment period, (2) percentage who consented, (3) completed 4 or more intervention sessions, and (4) percentage who remained on study. Acceptability of MCP-C was assessed with Likert scale items and through exit interviews.

We approached 90 caregivers in 11 months to recruit target sample of 32; 90.6% (n = 29) completed all sessions/assessments; 96% (n = 31) met benchmark of 4 sessions. In exit interviews (n = 22), participants endorsed the (1) value of MCP-C, (2) nurse interventionist's knowledge of transplant care, and (3) convenience of telehealth delivery.

Nurse-delivered MCP-C via telehealth is feasible and acceptable for caregivers of HSCT recipients. A future randomized controlled trial is needed to fully evaluate the intervention's effect on caregiver outcomes.