A Novel MBST-Based Intervention for Palliative Care in ALS and Terminal Cancer Patients

Palliative care patients face increased emotional and psychological suffering, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, delirium, anticipatory grief, and fear of death. Hence, an intervention focused on improving the psychological and emotional well-being of terminally ill patients is necessary. This study examines the potential of a novel intervention to enhance the emotional and psychological wellbeing of terminal patients, specifically with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and terminal cancer. This research is divided into two studies: Study 1a, a set of pilot qualitative interviews (n= 5) to inform the design of a novel mindfulness-based therapy (MBST), and Study 1b, a quantitative experimental intervention to determine the efficacy of the intervention (n=144), to improve the psychological and emotional well-being of palliative patients, along with developing a good coping mechanism. Study 1a revealed information about the problems, needs, and opinions on the intervention of palliative patients, highlighting the demand for effective treatments, through interviews. This information was used to inform the intervention task, which then tested experimentally in Study 1b using the Suffering Pictogram. The analyses, through mixed ANOVA, yielded a significant decrease in all dependent variables tested – overall suffering discomfort, worry, fear, anger, sadness, hopelessness, difficulty in acceptance, and emptiness – for participants in the experimental condition versus the control condition. Hence, study 1b demonstrated the intervention was highly effective to relieve psychological stress. This study highlights the potential of MBST as a practical and efficient tool to improve mental and emotional health in the context of terminal disease and its significant implications for clinical practice, legislation, and future research in palliative care.