A Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients with Chronic Diseases
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 5, 2024 Li Dong, Li Li, Yunlian Wu et al. 18 citations
A systematic review of 14 studies found that psychological interventions, particularly meaning-centered psychotherapy and dignity therapy, can reduce demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. Most studies treated demoralization as a secondary outcome, and ten used randomized controlled designs. Six of these investigated evidence-based meaning-centered therapy, and four investigated dignity therapy, showing the best empirical support. The review concludes that randomized controlled trials with demoralization as the primary outcome and adequate sample sizes are needed to more clearly evaluate effectiveness.