A groundbreaking psychological program called PATH has shown promising results in reducing distress and fatigue among blood cancer patients who have undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplants. The nine-week program, developed by US cancer specialists, focuses on exercises in gratitude, meaning, and personal strengths, delivered through brief weekly phone calls and guided by a manual.
In a recent feasibility study involving 70 patients, 91% completed all nine sessions of the PATH program, which began approximately 100 days post-transplant. The program’s design ensures patients engage in safe activities, avoiding high-risk ones like community service that could increase infection risk.
The researchers reported that PATH had “promising” effects on patient-reported outcomes, with the benefits persisting nine weeks after the program ended. The findings, published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, indicate that PATH could enhance physical function, reduce fatigue, improve quality of life, and alleviate distress.
Dr. Hermioni Amonoo of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the lead researcher, highlighted the potential benefits of integrating psychosocial resources into cancer care. “Encouraging patients to engage in structured exercises aimed at fostering positive emotions, such as gratitude, can significantly enhance well-being,” she said.
Dr. Jessica Vanderlan, vice chair of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Panel for Distress Management, praised the PATH program for its accessibility and effectiveness. She noted the importance of brief, phone-based interventions, especially during acute recovery periods when patients face numerous physical and emotional challenges.
The researchers advocate for further multi-centre studies involving a larger and more diverse group of patients to validate these promising findings.
Reference:
Amonoo HL et al. A Positive Psychology Intervention in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors (PATH): A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. 2024.
