Development and feasibility of culturally sensitive family-oriented dignity therapy for Chinese patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

It is well-documented in the literature that dignity therapy is feasible and effectively improves the end-of-life experience of the terminally ill. In a similar vein, this study aimed to develop and investigate the feasibility of evidence-based and culturally sensitive family-oriented dignity therapy for Chinese patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

Three phases of the Medical Research Council framework were adopted to guide the development of the novel dignity therapy intervention. It was preliminarily designed based on a qualitative study and a systematic review, Erikson's eighth stage of psychosocial development, and the dignity model. The feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were examined in a pilot randomized controlled trial with 12 recruited dyads of patients and family caregivers.

RESULTS

The intervention consists of three face-to-face sessions that facilitate participants' reminiscences and promote their communication. Recruitment and response rates for the feasibility study of the intervention were 92.3% and 75%, respectively. Both patients and family caregivers reported that the intervention alleviated their psychological distress and improved communication.

CONCLUSIONS

The Medical Research Council framework serves as a useful scientific basis for modifying dignity therapy with a culturally sensitive approach. The results of the feasibility study suggest that the family-oriented dignity therapy intervention is feasible, acceptable and has the potential to enhance the effects of dignity therapy.