The effect of group logotherapy on the life expectancy of cancer patients in the north of Iran: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer as a formidable diagnosis causes the loss of life expectancy in patients. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of logotherapy on the life expectancy of cancer patients in the 5th Azar Hospital of Gorgan, Iran. Material and methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups (intervention group and control group) was conducted on 40 cancer patients referred to Gorgan’s 5 Azar hospital in Golestan province in the north of Iran from 1 March 2019 to 1 December 2019. The samples were selected by simple random sampling method. The Snyder’s Hope Scale (AHS) was used for data collection. In the logotherapy group, eight 60–90 minute-long sessions were performed in 4 groups included 5 participants. The data were analyzed by SPSS-16 statistical software using descriptive statistics (mean table and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired t-test and ANOVA test). Results: The result of the paired t-test showed no significant difference before and after the intervention in the control group (p = 0.67), but this test showed a significant difference in the intervention group before and after the intervention (p = 0.01). The ANOVA test also showed a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of logotherapy on increasing the life expectancy of cancer people, it is recommended that relevant authorities should try to use this low-cost method to address the problems related to the meaning of life and life expectancy in cancer patients, and change the attitude of patients towards life expectancy.