Abstract
This feasibility study evaluated the acceptability, implementability, and preliminary efficacy of a brief purpose renewal intervention (the Compass Course) using a one-group pretest-posttest design. Fifteen women who had completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer enrolled in the study. Twelve completed the eight-session group intervention that was designed to help participants identify daily priorities (actual and aspired) that most align with their personal strengths, values, and sources of meaning, that is, their inner compass. The intervention was found to be acceptable and implementable. Preliminary pre- and post-intervention outcomes suggested that participants experienced greater purpose in daily life at posttest but that they did not make demonstrable changes in their activities or roles. Results suggest that the Compass Course was feasible and further study related to purpose renewal for adults with early-stage cancer is warranted.
Acknowledgements
The study team gratefully acknowledges the Engelsma Family Foundation and the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation for support of this work. We recognize Emily Sanville, MPH for her assistance and guidance in all regulatory aspects of the study and the partnership with the Allina Health Library Services team.
Conflict of interest
A subset of the authors (Radomski, Anheluk, Halsten, Zola) hold the copyright for the Compass Course Guidebook that was used by participants in this study. None of these authors has received any remuneration associated with this copyright.