AUTHOR=Li Teng , Li Bin , Tan Lu , Lv Bo 

TITLE=Reminiscence Therapy as a Potential Method to Improve Psychological Health and Quality of Life in Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2022.873843

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2022.873843

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=Background: Reminiscence therapy mitigates psychological issues and improves quality of life in cancer survivors. However, its role in older patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Thus, we aimed to detect the effect of reminiscence therapy on anxiety, depression and the quality of life in older HCC patients.
Methods: Totally, 106 older HCC patients after resection were randomized as 1:1 ratio to reminiscence therapy group (N=54) and control care group (N=52), and then received intervention for 12 months. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline (Month (M) 0), M3, M6, M9 and M12. Meanwhile, quality of life was assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life Questionnaire–Core 30 (QLQ-C30) at M0, M6 and M12.
Results: HADS for anxiety score at M9 (6.8±2.3 vs. 7.8±2.4, P=0.039), M12 (6.6±2.4 vs. 7.8±2.6, P=0.013) and anxiety proportion at M12 (27.8% vs. 46.2%, P=0.050) were reduced in reminiscence therapy group compared with control care group. Moreover, HADS for depression score was declined at M9 (6.6±2.0 vs. 7.5±2.2, P=0.025) and M12 (6.3±2.3 vs. 7.7±2.6, P=0.005), but depression proportion was not different at each visit point (P>0.05) in reminiscence therapy group compared with control care group. Besides, QLQ-C30 global health status score was increased at M6 (71.3±12.8 vs. 66.3±12.9, P=0.048) and M12 (74.5±12.9 vs. 68.2±13.3, P=0.014) in reminiscence therapy group compared to control care group.
Conclusion: Reminiscence therapy effectively mitigates anxiety, depression and improves quality of life in older HCC patients.