The Effect of an Online ACT Intervention on Meaning-Making Process in Cancer Patients Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This trial aimed to test internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention to induce a meaning-making process in cancer patients following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). ACT includes identifying personal values and engaging in activities consistent with these values, developing acceptance, as well as focusing on the present moment or performing activities with greater awareness. In total, 192 patients following the first (autologous or allogeneic) HCT will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to either the ACT intervention or an education session. Participants in both conditions will take part in 14-day training (about 5-10 minutes a day). The outcomes will be measured at baseline, during the intervention, immediately, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. Moreover, 6-9 additional participants will be randomly assigned to pre-intervention measurement length (1-3 weeks) before completing ACT intervention, followed by 7-day observations at the 2nd and 3rd post-intervention measure. The researchers hypothesized that ACT intervention would foster a meaning-making process and thus reduce distress induced by the discrepancy between global and situational meaning as compared to education.