Development and evaluation of a WeChat-based life review programme for patients with cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

IntroductionPatients with cancer often suffer from considerable distress. Life review is a process of recalling, evaluating and integrating life experiences to alleviate a sense of despair and achieve self-integrity. Empirical data have supported the fact that life review is an effective psychological intervention, but it is not always accessible to patients with cancer. There is little evidence of internet-based life review programmes tailored to patients with cancer. This study aims to develop a WeChat-based life review programme and evaluate its effectiveness on the psycho-spiritual well-being of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.Methods and analysisA single-centre randomised parallel group superiority design will be used. Patients with cancer will be randomised, to either a control group, or to an experimental group receiving a 6-week WeChat-based life review programme. The programme, which was mainly developed based on Erikson’s psycho-social development theory and Reed’s self-transcendence theory, provides synchronous and asynchronous communication modes for patients to review their life. The former is real-time communication, providing an e-life review interview guided by a facilitator online. The latter is not simultaneously dialogic and is used to interact with patients before and after a life review interview through Memory Prompts, Review Extraction, Mind Space and E-legacy products. The primary outcomes include anxiety, depression and self-transcendence, and the secondary outcomes are meaning in life and hope. These will be measured at baseline, and immediately, at 3 months, and at 6 months after the programme’s conclusion.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from the Biological and Medical Research Ethics Committee of the corresponding author’s university (IRB Ref No: 2016/00020). The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR-IOR-17011998.

Evaluation of a WeChat‐based life review programme for cancer patients: A quasi‐experimental study

“…The intervention group received the WBLRP plus routine care. The WBLRP consisted of four‐section e‐life review interviews and four life review modules, which has been published (Zhang & Xiao, ). The interviews covered each participant's entire life, including the present (cancer experience), adulthood, childhood and adolescence and a summary of their life.…”

“…However, the telephone‐based life review interviews did not provide the opportunity to observe non‐verbal cues. Recently, our research team developed a WeChat‐based life review programme (WBLRP) for cancer patients, based on Erikson's psychosocial development theory and Reed's self‐transcendence theory (Zhang & Xiao, ). Our programme, which has been validated by a panel of experts and patient advisers, contained four‐section e‐life review interviews, Memory Prompts, Review Extraction, Mind Space and E‐legacy products.…”

Effects of a mind map‐based life review programme on psychospiritual well‐being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomised controlled trial

“…Compared with other psychotherapies, a life review may be more acceptable and feasible for cancer patients to do. First, reviewing one's life is a naturally occurring, universal mental process in individuals, such as cancer patients, who are in the last life stage (Zhang & Xiao, ). Second, a successful life review could be facilitated not only by a psychologist, but also by a well‐trained nurse, social worker or even a family caregiver (Chen, Xiao, Yang, & Lan, ).…”

Effects of a WeChat-Based Life Review Program for Patients With Digestive System Cancer: 3-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

“…It allows users to interact asynchronously with each other through text messaging, voice messaging, video conferencing, and other means, as well as obtain information and resources from various WeChat platforms at any time. In 2018, our research team developed a WeChat-based life review program for patients with cancer, consisting of e-life review interviews, memory prompts, review extraction, mind space, and e-legacy products [22]. A preliminary study found that the program was acceptable, feasible, and promising in improving the psychospiritual well-being of patients with cancer [23].…”