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An emerging body literature exists highlighting the use of Digital Storytelling as an educational, and/or therapeutic intervention. Authors of this manuscript have studied Digital Storytelling as a narrative bereavement intervention designed to help individuals make meaning of adverse life events, like the death of a family member. Until recently, Digital Storytelling is typically delivered in person. The purpose of this article is to describe the steps to implementing Digital Storytelling as a bereavement intervention in a completely virtual setting, using Zoom technology. Best practices and lessons learned for the virtual delivery of Digital Storytelling are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Evidence suggests the usefulness of complementary and alternative medicine approaches, like neurofeedback and virtual reality, for the management of cancer-related pain and mood. It is not well-understood whether neurofeedback delivered through virtual reality is feasible and acceptable to patients actively undergoing cancer treatment. Objective : The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a nature-based virtual reality combined with neurofeedback as a non-pharmacologic strategy for managing cancer-related pain and anxiety. Methods : This study utilized a mixed-methods approach. Participants included 15 cancer patients undergoing treatment. Patients engaged in a 22-minute nature-based virtual reality experience, wearing a virtual reality headset with a Brainlink headband measuring EEG activity. Participants were asked to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System revised version (ESAS-r) before (T1) and after (T3) the experience to measure pain and anxiety. They were asked their level of pain midway through the experience (T2) and completed a follow-up interview afterward. Results : This study revealed feasible delivery of a virtual reality intervention combined with neurofeedback for patients seeking cancer treatment. All participants (100%) completed the intervention experience. Patients report this is an acceptable approach to managing cancer-related pain and anxiety. Comparisons between patients' pain scores at T1, T2, and T3 reveal statistically significant reductions in pain (p.001). Patients also report decreased depression and anxiety. Conclusion : This is the first study examining virtual reality combined with neurofeedback as a non-pharmacologic intervention for managing cancer symptoms during treatment. The study reveals it is a promising for managing cancer-symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Many family members struggle to negotiate their aging relative's care with nursing home staff, potentially leading to depression and other negative outcomes for residents' families. This pilot study tested an intervention designed to empower residents' family members to attend and participate in nursing home care plan meetings. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a small, randomized, controlled trial of the Families Involved in Nursing home Decision-making (FIND) intervention, which used web conferencing to facilitate family participation in care plan meetings. Results: Overall, FIND was feasible and acceptable. Family members who received the FIND intervention were more likely to experience decreased depressive symptoms than those who did not. Discussion and Implications: FIND is a promising approach to reduce depression among family members of nursing home residents. Findings support the need for a follow-up clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We present the protocol of a study aiming to examine the efficacy of a technologically-mediated storytelling intervention called Caregiver Speaks in reducing distress and grief intensity experienced by active and bereaved hospice family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD). Design: The study is a mixed-method, 2-group, randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study takes place in 5 hospice agencies in the Midwest and Northeastern United States. Participants: Participants include hospice family caregivers of PLWD. Intervention: Participants are randomized to usual hospice care or the intervention group. In the Caregiver Speaks intervention, caregivers engage in photo-elicitation storytelling (sharing photos that capture their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to caregiving and bereavement) via a privately facilitated Facebook group. This intervention will longitudinally follow caregivers from active caregiving into bereavement. The usual care group continues to receive hospice care but does not participate in the online group. Outcomes Measured: We anticipate enrolling 468 participants. Our primary outcomes of interest are participant depression and anxiety, which are measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder screening (GAD-7). Our secondary outcomes of interest are participants' perceived social support, measured by the Perceived Social Support for Caregiving (PSSC) scale, and grief intensity, which is measured by the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief Present Subscale (TRIG-Present). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen (N = 14) bereaved family members participated in an exploratory study of Digital Storytelling as a bereavement intervention. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of this approach and to qualitatively assess potential impacts. Qualitative data revealed that for some, participation in Digital Storytelling facilitated growth and meaning-making. Themes from the data also revealed that participation in Digital Storytelling affected participants in these ways: (a) the writing and verbalization of the script helped participants organize their thoughts and emotions about the loss, (b) having the space to share with a collective group encouraged confidence in their ability to discuss their feelings with others, and (c) the final product served as a source of closure for participants. Although this was a small exploratory study, results were promising and suggest the clinical applicability of Digital Storytelling as a tool for facilitating meaning-making among bereaved family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore factors that influenced engagement in an online support group (OSG) for family caregivers of hospice patients with cancer. Design: Secondary qualitative data analysis. Sample: 58 family caregivers of hospice patients with advanced cancer. Methods: Template analysis of individual family caregiver interviews. Findings: Emotional isolation and caregiving downtime positively influenced engagement, while reluctance to share personal information, a short timeframe of participation in the OSG, and caregiving commitments were negatively influential. While the group facilitation and secure privacy settings of the OSG were viewed positively, reactions to the OSG platform and group tone were mixed. Information on pain and the dying process was found to be particularly engaging. Practice implications: Providers offering OSGs for family caregivers should maximize factors that promote meaningful member engagement, responding to changes in activity and tone over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To understand how patients’ use of photo-elicitation and online social networks (Facebook) enhances their understanding of what itmeans to live with pain. Design. Qualitative substudy of the intervention armof a randomized trial. Setting/Subjects. Primary care patients living with pain drawn from nine family practices with at least two pain visits in the last six months. Methods. The private Facebook group was co-facilitated by a moderator and a patient-investigator who lives with chronic pain. Patients were asked to share photos that elicit their lived experience with chronic pain, and facilitators guided participants in ongoing discussion about these photos, and thus the life with pain. Facebook discussionswere analyzed via Dedoose (a qualitative analysis software) using thematic analysis. Results. Discussions of photos elicited three overarching themes regarding patients’ lived experience with chronic pain: 1) patients’ redefined pain identity; 2) pain interference with enjoyment of life and activities; and 3) patients’ diminished ability to function. Conclusions. Photo-elicitation is an innovative way to shed light on patients’ lived experience with chronic pain. Despite some technical challenges, Facebook support groups utilizing photo-elicitation can provide a readily available platform that can facilitate interchange of patient experiences and might help patients communicate with their providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the historical accounts of the military's treatment of people who identify as LGBT, putting emphasis on the importance of understanding the history for the social work profession. It explains the concept of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy that allows people who identify as gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) to serve openly in the U.S. military. It also looks into the content related to GLB service members and veterans in a number of journals of social work.

Background: Hospitalized patients with palliative care needs often have high levels of physical and psychological symptom distress. Virtual reality (VR) with a music therapy intervention may improve physical and psychological symptoms., Objectives: To assess symptom distress and quality of life (QOL) among hospitalized palliative care patients who participated in a virtual reality-based music therapy (VR-MT) intervention, and to explore VR-MT from the perspectives of health care professionals involved in their care., Design: Single-arm pilot study of a two-day VR-MT intervention., Setting/participants: Patients seen by an inpatient palliative care consultation service at a U.S. hospital could participate in the VR-MT intervention. Participants created a customized soundtrack with a music therapist and then listened to it while experiencing a 360-degree VR nature-based environment of their choice., Measurements: Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, revised version (ESAS-r) and McGill Quality of Life, revised version (MQOL-R) before and after VR-MT. Members of the participants' health care teams were interviewed., Results: Seventeen patients completed VR-MT (range 20-79 years of age, 59% women). Moderate clinical improvements were observed for total ESAS-r score (Cohen's d effect size, 0.68), physical distress subscale (0.52), and psychological distress subscale (0.60); small improvements were observed in total MQOL-r score (0.26) and the existential subscale (0.27). Health care team members described the value of VR-MT as facilitating meaningful conversations., Conclusions: This pilot study of VR combined with a music therapy intervention for hospitalized patients with palliative care needs supports opportunities for future study of potential improvements in symptom distress and QOL., (© Adreanne Brungardt et al., 2024; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)

Objectives: Managing cancer symptoms while patients receive systemic treatment remains a challenge in oncology. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches like virtual reality (VR) and neurofeedback (NF) in tandem with systemic treatment might reduce symptom burden for patients. The combination of VR + NF as a CAM intervention approach is novel and understudied, particularly as it relates to supportive cancer care. The purpose of this study is to summarize our VR + NF study protocol and share preliminary results regarding study retention (across 2 treatment sessions) and preliminary impact of VR or VR + NF on patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety and pain., Methods: We utilized a parallel arm trial design to compare preliminary impact of VR only and VR + NF on cancer symptoms among patients who are actively receiving cancer treatment., Results: Sixty-seven percent ( n = 20) of participants returned to participate in a second VR session, and the rates of return were the same between the VR groups. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improvements in anxiety after both sessions, while patients in the VR only group showed significant improvements in pain and depression after both sessions. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improved pain after session 1., Significance of Results: This study demonstrates that patients can be retained over multiple treatment sessions and that VR and NF remain promising treatment approaches with regard to impact on patient-reported outcomes like anxiety and pain.