A feasibility study of Dignity Psychotherapy delivered via 
telemedicine

Passik, Steven D.; Kirsh, Kenneth L.; Leibee, Suzanne; Kaplan, Lisa S.; Love, Celia; Napier, Ellen; Burton, Deborah C; Sprang, Robert

doi:10.1017/s1478951504040209

Cited by 34 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…25 Finally, there was a study on DT’s feasibility via telemedicine. In the study, they concluded that telemedical DT is feasible because the problems that appeared were easily solved 12 (Table 2). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Dignity therapy’, a promising intervention in palliative care: A comprehensive systematic literature review

et al. 2016

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Background:Dignity therapy is psychotherapy to relieve psychological and existential distress in patients at the end of life. Little is known about its effect.Aim:To analyse the outcomes of dignity therapy in patients with advanced life-threatening diseases.Design:Systematic review was conducted. Three authors extracted data of the articles and evaluated quality using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Data were synthesized, considering study objectives.Data sources:PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO. The years searched were 2002 (year of dignity therapy development) to January 2016. ‘Dignity therapy’ was used as search term. Studies with patients with advanced life-threatening diseases were included.Results:Of 121 studies, 28 were included. Quality of studies is high. Results were grouped into effectiveness, satisfaction, suitability and feasibility, and adaptability to different diseases and cultures. Two of five randomized control trials applied dignity therapy to patients with high levels of baseline psychological distress. One showed statistically significant decrease on patients’ anxiety and depression scores over time. The other showed statistical decrease on anxiety scores pre–post dignity therapy, not on depression. Nonrandomized studies suggested statistically significant improvements in existential and psychosocial measurements. Patients, relatives and professionals perceived it improved end-of-life experience.Conclusion:Evidence suggests that dignity therapy is beneficial. One randomized controlled trial with patients with high levels of psychological distress shows DT efficacy in anxiety and depression scores. Other design studies report beneficial outcomes in terms of end-of-life experience. Further research should understand how dignity therapy functions to establish a means for measuring its impact and assessing whether high level of distress patients can benefit most from this therapy.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Dignity therapy’, a promising intervention in palliative care: A comprehensive systematic literature review

et al. 2016

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“…Research into conducting the intervention via email and through videoconferencing is also indicated. There has been one small study with eight participants showing dignity therapy can be delivered using videoconferencing [41] but a larger study is warranted. Future studies should include hope as an outcome as well as explore the possible relationship between a person's spirituality and changes to hopefulness through dignity therapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy for People with Motor Neurone Disease

et al. 2014

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BackgroundMotor neurone disease (MND) practice guidelines suggest developing interventions that will promote hope, meaning, and dignity to alleviate psychological distress, but very little research has been done. This study begins to address this need by exploring the use of dignity therapy with people with MND. Dignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that promotes hope, meaning and dignity, and enhances the end of life for people with advanced cancer. The aims of this study are to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for people with MND.Methods/designThis cross-sectional feasibility study used a one-group pre-test post-test design with 29 people diagnosed with MND. Study participants completed the following self-report questionnaires: Herth Hope Index, FACIT-sp, Patient Dignity Inventory, ALS Assessment Questionnaire, ALS Cognitive Behavioural Screen, and a demographic and health history questionnaire. Acceptability was measured with a 25-item feedback questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining the length of time taken to complete dignity therapy and how symptoms common in MND affected the intervention. Generalised linear mixed models and reliable change scores were used to analyse the data.ResultsThere were no significant pre-test post-test changes for hopefulness, spirituality or dignity on the group level, but there were changes in hopefulness on the individual level. The results of the feedback questionnaire indicates dignity therapy is highly acceptable to people with MND, who report benefits similar to those in the international randomised controlled trial on dignity therapy, a population who primarily had end-stage cancer. Benefits include better family relationships, improved sense of self and greater acceptance. Dignity therapy with people with MND is feasible if the therapist can overcome time and communication difficulties.ConclusionsDignity therapy for people with MND is feasible and acceptable. Further research is warranted to explore its ability to diminish distress.Trial Registration www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12611000410954

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“…Results from several exploratory investigations and trials in Canada, Australia, the UK and US have demonstrated it has the potential to alleviate patients' psychological-existential distress (Passik et al 2004, Chochinov et al 2011, 2012, Montross et al 2011, Hall et al 2012. In Taiwan, psychological-spiritual care offered to terminally ill patients does not yet reach the standard their families expect (Hu et al 1999, Chang et al 2002.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptualizations of dignity at the end of life: exploring theoretical and cultural congruence with dignity therapy

Richardson

Speck

et al. 2014

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Aim. To explore the conceptualisation of patients' dignity within the context of end-of-life care in Taiwan Background. Dignity therapy (DT) -a novel psychotherapeutic intervention -has been demonstrated to have potential to alleviate terminally ill patients' psycho-existential distress in several western countries. In Taiwan, over half of terminally ill patients experience psychological-spiritual suffering and DT might prove helpful in improving this situation. Hence, a preliminary study to clarify Taiwanese conceptualisations of 'dignity' was conducted prior to planning a feasibility study in order to gauge the potential cultural fit of an intervention of this type. Design. Qualitative explorationMethods. Nine people with terminal cancer and ten health professionals were recruited from palliative care services in Taiwan in 2008. In-depth interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. A hermeneutic approach was employed to analyse and interpret data. Findings. Being a valuable person is the core meaning of patients' dignity in theTaiwanese context and this comprised intrinsic characteristics and extrinsic factors.Intrinsic characteristics of dignity encompassed living a moral life, having peace of mind and a sense of existence involving the perception of resignation to God's will.Extrinsic factors that influenced patients' dignity included illness-related distress, care Conclusion. The approaches of preserving dignity, living a moral life and resignation to God's will, in Taiwanese patients were distinguishable from western perspectives and the modification of DT in this context is warranted.Key words: Dignity therapy, palliative care, qualitative research, terminal illness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 ◎ Dignity is of concern in healthcare as it relates to patients' physical, psychological and existential distress and also the support and care they receive. Page 2 of 32 Journal of Advanced Nursing◎ The translation of DT into other cultures might improve end-of-life care in different populations and assessment of whether it is cultural-appropriate to apply the intervention in different contexts is essential. • What are the key findings?◎ A sense of dignity was associated with whether a person is viewed by themselves or others as a valuable person.◎ The intrinsic characteristics of dignity were culturally influenced and involved a perception of living a moral life and resignation to God's will.◎ Extrinsic factors had both helpful and harmful influences on patients' sense of dignity, and approaches patients took to securing their dignity involved enhancing the intrinsic characteristics of dignity.• How should the findings be used to influence policy/practice/research/education? ◎ Modification of DT is warranted and culture-related perspectives of dignity should be addressed before implementation in the Tai...

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A feasibility study of Dignity Psychotherapy delivered via telemedicine

Cited by 34 publications

References 25 publications

‘Dignity therapy’, a promising intervention in palliative care: A comprehensive systematic literature review

‘Dignity therapy’, a promising intervention in palliative care: A comprehensive systematic literature review

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy for People with Motor Neurone Disease

Conceptualizations of dignity at the end of life: exploring theoretical and cultural congruence with dignity therapy

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