Table 2.
Acceptability of Dignity Therapy by Patients with Motor Neuron Disease (n=27) and a Comparison with a Previous Study
| Current study meana | SD | % Agree/strongly agreeb | 2011 studyc mean | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dignity therapy was helpful to me | 4.27 | 0.604 | 88.9 | 4.23 |
| Dignity therapy was helpful as any other health care aspect | 3.54 | 0.859 | 59.3 | 3.63 |
| Dignity therapy improved my quality of life | 3.42 | 0.758 | 48.1 | 3.54 |
| Dignity therapy has given me a sense of looking after unfinished business | 3.73 | 0.533 | 66.7 | 3.35 |
| Dignity therapy improved my spiritual wellbeing | 3.38 | 0.637 | 44.4 | 3.27 |
| Dignity therapy lessened my sense of sadness or depression | 3.08 | 0.977 | 37.0 | 3.11 |
| Dignity therapy lessened my sense of feeling a burden to others | 2.92 | 0.935 | 25.9 | 2.81 |
| Dignity therapy helped me feel more worthwhile and valued | 3.54 | 0.761 | 51.9 | 3.38 |
| Dignity therapy helped me feel like I am still me | 3.69 | 0.884 | 63.0 | 3.81 |
| Dignity therapy has given me a greater sense of having control over my life | 3.19 | 0.749 | 33.3 | 3.02 |
| Dignity therapy helped me accept the way things are | 3.50 | 0.949 | 59.3 | 3.39 |
| Dignity therapy made me feel more respected and understood by others | 3.35 | 0.977 | 48.1 | 3.16 |
| Dignity therapy made me feel I am still able to fill an important role | 3.69 | 0.970 | 63.0 | 3.62 |
| Dignity therapy was satisfactory | 4.31 | 0.549 | 92.6 | 4.26 |
| Dignity therapy made me feel life is more meaningful | 3.58 | 0.643 | 55.6 | 3.55 |
| Dignity therapy heightened my sense of purpose | 3.35 | 0.797 | 44.4 | 3.49 |
| Dignity therapy heightened my sense of dignity | 3.38 | 0.852 | 55.6 | 3.52 |
| Dignity therapy lessened my sense of suffering | 3.31 | 0.736 | 44.4 | 2.86 |
| Dignity therapy made patient feel more hopeful | 3.00 | 0.849 | 33.3 | — |
| Dignity therapy increased my will to live | 2.96 | 0.978 | 29.6 | 2.94 |
| Dignity therapy helped me feel closer to their loved ones | 3.72 | 0.936 | 70.4 | — |
| Dignity therapy has or will be of help to my family | 4.08 | 0.702 | 81.5 | 3.93 |
| Dignity therapy could change the way my family sees/appreciates me | 3.52 | 1.046 | 59.3 | 3.58 |
| Dignity therapy could change the way my health care providers see/appreciate me | 3.23 | 0.951 | 37.0 | — |
| I would recommend dignity therapy to other patients or family members who are dealing with MND | 4.26 | 0.619 | 77.8 | — |
a
Mean of scores: 1=strongly disagree; 2=disagree; 3=neither agree nor disagree; 4=agree; 5=strongly disagree.
b
Percent of those who agreed or strongly agreed with the statements.
c
Chochinov et al.12; n=108.
SD, standard deviation; MND, motor neuron disease.