Dyadic effects of family resilience on post-traumatic stress symptoms among breast cancer patients and their primary family caregivers: A cross-sectional study.

The effectiveness of dignity therapy on hope, quality of life, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives Dignity therapy (DT) is a brief, individualised psychotherapy that aims to alleviate psychosocial and spiritual distress in the final stages of life. It is unknown yet whether DT can enhance sense of dignity and improve psychological and spiritual well-being as well as quality of life of terminally ill patients. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL plus, ProQuest Health & Medical Complete, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library, as well as Chinese databases including Weipu Data, Wanfang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to 30 April 2021, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of DT on dignity, psycho-spiritual well-being and quality of life of terminally ill patients receiving palliative care. Results We identified 507 unique records, and included 9 RCTs (871 participants). Comparator was standard palliative care. DT did not improve terminally ill patients’ sense of dignity (p=0.90), hope (p=0.15), spiritual well-being (p=0.99) and quality of life (p=0.23). However, DT reduced anxiety and depression after intervention (standardised mean difference, SMD=−1.13, 95% CI (−2.21 to –0.04), p=0.04; SMD=−1.22, 95% CI (−2.25 to –0.18), p=0.02, respectively) and at 4 weeks post-intervention (SMD=−0.89, 95% CI (−1.71 to –0.07), p=0.03; SMD=−1.26, 95% CI (−2.38 to –0.14), p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion DT can be offered as a psychological intervention for terminally ill patients to reduce their anxiety and depression. More studies are needed to further evaluate the effects of DT on terminally ill patients’ dignity, spiritual well-being and quality of life.

Dignity therapy, psycho-spiritual well-being and quality of life in the terminally ill: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Return to work in head and neck cancer survivors: a systematic review

The need for clarity and consistency in defining and reporting primary outcomes.

Effects of family participatory dignity therapy on the psychological well-being and family function of patients with haematologic malignancies and their family caregivers: A randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE This study aims to explore the barriers that adult patients with hematologic neoplasms experience when seeking psychosocial support. METHODS A descriptive qualitative approach was used to investigate the experiences of patients with hematologic neoplasms. Face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted between June and October 2020 with 17 patients diagnosed with hematologic neoplasms. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the essential themes. RESULTS Seventeen patients aged 28-67 years completed the interviews. Two themes and six subthemes were identified that describe barriers to seeking psychosocial support. Internal barriers included limited communication, negative emotions, social avoidance, and focusing on treatment rather than psychosocial needs; external barriers included traditional cultural influences and lack of professional support. CONCLUSIONS Significant others were the key source for psychosocial support for patients with hematologic neoplasms. Tackling diverse barriers to accessing psychosocial support remains a challenge for these patients. Healthcare providers should continually assess and provide effective support.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00520-021-06699-4.pdf

Mengting Xie

Papers

Effects of family participatory dignity therapy on the psychological well-being and family function of patients with haematologic malignancies and their family caregivers: A randomised controlled trial.

Barriers to seeking psychosocial support among adult patients with hematologic neoplasms: a qualitative study.