Affiliations 

  • 1 Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 2 Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 3 Oncology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 4 Surgery, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 5 Nursing Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 6 Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 7 Medicine, UNIMAS, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • 8 Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia pramudita_1@hotmail.com
BMJ Support Palliat Care, 2023 Dec 07;13(e2):e389-e396.
PMID: 34244182 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003068

Abstract

CONTEXT: Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress and improve quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to examine the effect of mindful gratitude journaling on suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS: We conducted a parallel-group, blinded, randomised controlled trial at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Ninety-two adult patients with advanced cancer, and an overall suffering score ≥4/10 based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either a mindful gratitude journaling group (N=49) or a routine journaling group (N=43).

RESULTS: After 1 week, there were significant reductions in the overall suffering score from the baseline in both the intervention group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-2.0, 95% CI=-2.7 to -1.4, t=-6.125, p=0.000) and the control group (mean difference in overall suffering score=-1.6, 95% CI=-2.3 to -0.8, t=-4.106, p=0.037). There were also significant improvements in the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (mean difference=-3.4, 95% CI=-5.3 to -1.5, t=-3.525, p=0.000) and the total Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being score (mean difference=7.3, 95% CI=1.5 to 13.1, t=2.460, p=0.014) in the intervention group after 7 days, but not in the control group.

CONCLUSION: The results provide evidence that 7 days of mindful gratitude journaling could positively affect the state of suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN1261800172191) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.