Effect of Dignity Therapy on Functional Aspects of Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cancers are the third leading cause of death in Iran. Cancer reduces functional aspects of quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to determine the effect of dignity therapy on functional dimensions of quality of life in cancer patients.

A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in 76 patients with cancer in Birjand Iranmehr Hospital, 2019. Information, including demographic characteristics, was obtained, and EORTC QLQ-C30 was completed before the intervention. The participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. Dignity therapy was administered in the intervention group in 3-4 sessions of 30-45 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Four weeks after the intervention, the EORTC QLQ-C30 was completed again in both groups.

Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in functional aspects of QOL before the intervention (P> 0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores for emotional and social functioning and their changes significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P< 0.05). However, the mean scores for physical, role, and cognitive functioning in the intervention group did not significantly change compared to the control group (P> 0.05). After the intervention, total mean score for functional aspects showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group (P <0.05).

Dignity therapy could be considered as one of the supportive-palliative methods for improving the functional aspects of QOL in cancer patients.