Intervention Development to Promote Medical Adherence After Stem Cell Transplant

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Psychosocial Support

Background:

• Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers life-saving treatment for hematologic diseases.
• Post-HCT care presents significant adherence challenges for patients and family caregivers.
• Effective interventions are needed to support patient-caregiver dyads in managing post-HCT regimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a Dyadic Problem-Solving Therapy (DPST) intervention.
• To assess DPST's effectiveness in preparing patient-family caregiver dyads for post-HCT adherence challenges.
• To compare in-person versus video conferencing delivery of the DPST intervention.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility and acceptability study involving 12 patient-family caregiver dyads.
• Dyads were randomized to receive DPST (in-person or video) or enhanced usual care (EUC).
• Feasibility assessed by completion rates; acceptability by Client Satisfaction Questionnaire ratings.

Main Results:

• 100% completion rate for all dyads initiating the intervention, indicating high feasibility.
• Both DPST (in-person/video) and EUC were found to be acceptable interventions.
• High satisfaction ratings (3.6-4.0) for DPST and (3.3-4.0) for EUC across patients and caregivers.
• No significant differences in outcomes based on DPST delivery mode (in-person vs. video).

Conclusions:

• Dyadic Problem-Solving Therapy (DPST) is a feasible and acceptable intervention for patient-family caregiver dyads post-HCT.
• DPST, delivered either in-person or via video conferencing, effectively prepares dyads to manage adherence challenges.
• The findings support the use of DPST as a valuable tool in supportive care for HCT recipients and their caregivers.