Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.42(1) > 1002804

Ahn, An, Yoo, Ando, and Yoon: Effects of a Short-term Life Review on Spiritual Well-being, Depression, and Anxiety in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Abstract

Purpose

This study was done to evaluate the effects of a short-term life review on spiritual well-being, depression, and anxiety in patients with terminal cancer.

Methods

The study used a pre posttest quasi experimental design with a nonequivalent control group. Measurement instruments included the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual scale (FACIT-Sp12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were 32 patients with terminal cancer who were receiving chemotherapy or palliative care at hospitals or at home. Eighteen patients were assigned to the experimental group and 14 to the control group. A sixty minute short-term life review session was held twice a week as the intervention with the experimental group.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in spiritual well-being in the experimental group compared to the control group. There were also significant decreases in depression and anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The results indicate that a short-term life review can be used as a nursing intervention for enhancing the spiritual well-being of patients with terminal cancer.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Homogeneity Test for General Characteristics, Performance Status, and Outcome Variables of Participants (N=32)
jkan-42-28-i001

*Fisher's exact test; Wilcoxon signed rank sum test;

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group; ECOG-PSR=Eastern cooperative oncology group - performance status Rating; HADS=Hospital anxiety and depression scale; 1=Fully ambulatory with symptoms; 2=Requiring rest for 1 to 49% of the waking day; 3=Requiring rest 50 to 99% of the waking day; 4=Requiring complete bed rest.

Table 2
Composition for Short-Term Life Review
jkan-42-28-i002
Table 3
Effects of Short-term Life Review on Spiritual Well-being, Anxiety, and Depression
jkan-42-28-i003

a, b, c, d=Significant difference between the same αbetic letters;

Exp.=Experimental group; Cont.=Control group; G=Group; T=Time.

Notes

This study was supported by Songeui basic science research grant funded by The Catholic University of Korea in 2007.

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