Abstract
GOALS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment efficacy of the structured life review interviews and the Short-Term Life Review on the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients, in order to improve patients’ quality of life. SUBJECTS and METHODS: Participants were patients in palliative care units in Japan. In the study 1, the structured life review interviews were conducted with 12 patients. They completed the QOL scale of the SELT-M (Skalen zur Erfassung von Lebens qualitat bei Tumor- kranken–Modified Version) questionnaire before and after the interviews. In the study 2, the Short-Term Life Review was conducted with 30 patients. They reviewed their lives in the first session and they confirmed the contents in the album based on the life review in the second session. Duration of the treatment was one week. Measurement instruments included Func- tional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy- Spiritual (FACIT-Sp). RESULTS: After the structured life review, the mean overall QOL score and Spirituality subscale score of the SELT-M significantly increased, from 2.57 ± 0.61 to 3.58 ± 1.0 (p=0.013) and 2.57 ± 0.61 to 3.14 ± 2.25 (P=0.023), respectively. After the Short-Term Life Review, the mean FACIT-Sp scores significantly increased from 16 ± 8.2 to 24 ± 7.1. CONCLUSION: Both the structured life review and the Short-Term Life Review may be effective in improving the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients, being higher feasibility for the Short-Term Life Review. We need to use these therapies understanding characteristics of each therapy.
Highlights
Meaning of life or meaning of existence is an important for human, and it is called spirituality
The present study describes an intervention to elevate spiritual well-being in terminally ill cancer patients
Structured life review may be effective in improving the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients, the long sessions decrease the feasibility, we need a shorter version of life review therapy
Summary
Meaning of life or meaning of existence is an important for human, and it is called spirituality. From the study of Japanese terminally ill cancer patients, Murata & Morita [1] defined spiritual well-being as meaning of life and peaceful of mind, and psycho-existential sufferings as loss of meaning of life or meaning of existence. Butler [2] reported that the life review process is a mean of reintegration and can give new significance and meaning to an individual’s life. It is defined as “the progressive return to consciousness of prior experience, which can be re-evaluated with the intention of resolving and integrating past conflict, thereby giving new significance to one’s life.”. Previous studies have shown the effects of life review on depression [4,5,6], self-esteem [4], and life satisfaction [7]
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