The Effect of Dignity Therapy on sense of Dignity in Cancer Patients

Maintaining a sense of dignity in incurable patients and providing a death with dignity is one of the most important goals of palliative care. In this regard, dignity therapy is considered as a new intervention to promote the sense of dignity of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dignity therapy on the sense of dignity of patients with cancer receiving palliative care.

This is a non-randomized controlled trials study in which 50 patients with cancer who were admitted to the “Entekhab palliative care center" and fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling and divided into two groups: control group (25 people) and intervention group (25 people). Three 30-60 minute sessions were considered for dignity therapy implementation. The data gathered through self-reporting and interview. Before and two weeks after the dignity therapy, the Demographic and Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) questionnaires were filled by research units and the findings were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Data analysis showed that the mean value of dignity before dignity therapy was (62.20±16.50) and after dignity therapy was (74.36 ± 10.54). As a result, there was a significant statically difference in the intervention and control groups after intervention (p˂0.001).

Considering the positive effect of dignity in promoting the sense of dignity, this approach could be beneficial as a new intervention at the end stage of life of patients with cancer in order to promote their sense of meaning, purpose, dignity and provide a dignified death for these patients.