Meaning-based interventions in cancer care

Cancer is not only a debilitating physical disease but also presents profound existential challenges that significantly impact patients' psychological well-being. Traditional cancer care has predominantly focused on physical symptom management and life extension, often neglecting the critical existential dimensions of the disease. This narrative review examines the role and efficacy of meaning-based interventions in addressing the existential concerns of cancer patients. The review discusses several therapeutic approaches designed to enhance patients' sense of meaning, purpose, and coherence in life amidst their illness. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) promotes psychological flexibility by encouraging patients to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to values-driven actions. Mindfulness-Based Existential Therapy (MBET) combines mindfulness with existential principles to help patients live with greater presence and acceptance. Existential Therapy focuses on confronting and making sense of the existential dimensions of cancer, fostering a greater sense of clarity and empowerment. Meaning Therapy, developed by Viktor Frankl, aids patients in finding or creating meaning in their lives despite their suffering, while Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) offers a structured approach to maintaining or enhancing life’s meaning in advanced cancer stages. Dignity Therapy provides a means for patients to reflect on their lives and legacy, fostering a sense of dignity and closure. This review underscores the significance of integrating meaning-based interventions into holistic cancer care, highlighting their potential to improve psychological resilience, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life for cancer patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Existential psychotherapy ، Logotherapy ، Meaning therapy ، Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) ، Mindfulness-Based Existential Therapy (MBET) ، Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) ، Cancer ، Oncology