Randomized Controlled Trial of the Meaning-Making Intervention (MMi) in Patients Newly Diagnosed With Advanced Cancer: A Pilot Study

Study start date: October 1, 2012

Inclusion Criteria: 1) Diagnosed with advanced cancer (stage III or IV --TNM classification system; 117); first occurrence, progression or recurrence) of any type of solid tumour <2 months at referral and <6 months at randomization. 2) Willing to participate in weekly MMi or AC sessions. 3) >18 years. 4) Alert and capable of giving free and informed consent. 5) Able to speak and read English or French. Exclusion Criteria: 1) Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score <60 (rated by referring oncologists/nurses or Research Coordinator (RC)) or expected survival <6 months according to clinical judgment. 2) Currently receiving radiotherapy (Rx) treatment (although these patients can be reassessed after Rx). Patients will only be included in the study when they have recovered from severe side-effects from Rx and when they feel they can participate in the study. Severe side-effects are defined as a score of 3 or 4 on any of the site-specific toxicity markers of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Common Toxicity Criteria or with more than 3 markers with a score of 2 (moderate side-effects), as evaluated by the treating physician (in consultation with the radiotherapist. 3) Suicidal. Present a score of ≥2 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) suicide item (item #9), administered by the RC or RA during the consent meeting. 4) Known diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 5) Planning a trip within 2 months that would interrupt delivery of the MMi or AC.