A study on the effects of spiritual group therapy on hope and the mental and spiritual health of patients with colorectal cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with cancer experience a lot of emotional, mental, social, and spiritual crises. However, not much has been done to meet these needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of spiritual group therapy on hope and the mental and spiritual health of patients with colorectal cancer.Design and methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out in 2013 in Kerman, Iran, on 80 colorectal cancer patients, who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. After the pre-test of both groups, eight sessions of 1.5 h were held once a week for spiritual group therapy, and finally both groups underwent the post-test. To collect data, Snyder’s hope scale, the Paloutzian–Ellison 20-item spiritual health questionnaire, and the Goldberg Health Questionnaire were used. The data were analysed using the SPSS statistical software version 16.Results: Comparing the mean scores of hope, mental health, and spiritual health before and after the intervention showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the test group. In the control group, no significant difference was found before and after the study. This indicates the benefits of the spiritual group therapy in cancer patients.Conclusion: The study results show that spiritual group therapy has a significant positive impact on the mental and spiritual health of patients with colorectal cancer, and that it also gives them hope. Thus, the use of spiritual therapy is suggested as a good way to improve the spiritual and mental health and hope in patients with colorectal cancer.