LAUSR

Given the incurable nature, short survival and high symptom burden of high grade glioma (HGG), patients and their partners are at risk of experiencing psychological and existential/spiritual distress. To address these concerns, we developed a dyadic intervention integrating meditation training with emotional disclosure exercises. The primary aim was to examine feasibility and acceptability of the intervention study procedures. Dyads completed baseline self-report measures and were randomized to a couple-based mind-body (CBMB) or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Couples in the CBMB groups attended 4 weekly (60 min each) therapist-led sessions that were delivered via FaceTime. The CBMB program focused on cultivating mindfulness, compassion, gratitude and purpose. All groups were reassessed, 1 month and 3 months after baseline. We approached 60 eligible patient-partner dyads of which 37 (62%) consented and 18 were randomized to the CBMB and 16 to the WLC group. Of those randomized, 23 dyads (67%) completed all assessments (n= 12 in CBMB; n=11 in WLC). Attrition was due to patients’ death (n=3), symptom burden (n=5) or passive withdrawal (n=3). Patients (57% male; mean age=57 years) and partners’ (59% female; mean age=54 years) attended a mean of 3.17 sessions (SD=1.2) with 83% attending at least 2 sessions. All dyads in the CBMB group reported the intervention as beneficial and useful and would recommend this program to other couples. Of note, 60% of couples would have preferred in-person delivery and 95% of patients but only 33% of partners stated that a dyadic intervention is their preference. It seems to be feasible, acceptable and possibly efficacious to deliver a dyadic intervention via FaceTime to couples coping with HGG. Although both members of the dyad reported to have benefited, dyadic delivery appears to be less desirable for partners.