The Effect of Spiritual Intelligence Training on Human Dignity in Patients with Cancer: Clinical Trial

Diagnosis of cancer is associated with fear of dying, which greatly affects the human dignity of the individual. In Iran, the psychological issue of these patients, including human dignity and interventions in this field, has been underestimated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of spiritual intelligence training on human dignity in cancer patients.

This randomized clinical trial with control group was performed on 50 cancer patients admitted to Omid Hospital in Mashhad in 2018 – 2019 (May -Jun). The patients were selected by available method and randomly assigned to two groups of intervention (23 patients) and control (n = 27). The intervention group underwent spiritual intelligence training according to King's (2008) model during ten sessions of one and a half hours. The control group received routine care. The data collection tool was a standard patient dignity inventory that was completed in two steps before intervention and 8 weeks after intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21 software, t-paired and t-independent test.

Both groups were homogeneous for demographic variables and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the scores of both groups before entering the study (P = 0.68). There was a significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups before intervention and 8 weeks after intervention (P <0.001).

Spiritual intelligence training can enhance human dignity in cancer patients. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in hospitals.