Development of interventions

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 38 views

The Effect of Remembrance Therapy on Psychological Distress in Final Stage Cancer Patients at the 2019 Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital

Introduction

Psychological distress is a common condition experienced by final stage cancer patients, characterized by feelings of anxiety, depression, and mental burdens. The impact of cancer on patients' mental health can be significant, affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring alternative therapies that can help alleviate psychological distress in cancer patients. One such therapy is remembrance therapy, also known as dhikr therapy, which involves the repetition of sacred phrases to promote spiritual growth and well-being.

Background

Remembrance therapy, or dhikr therapy, is a spiritual practice that has been used for centuries in various cultures and religions. The practice involves the repetition of sacred phrases, such as "Lahailahaillallah," "Astaghfirullaah," "Subhanallah," "Alhamdulillah," and "Allahu Akbar," to promote a sense of calmness, comfort, and closeness to God. In the context of cancer care, dhikr therapy has been explored as a potential intervention to reduce psychological distress and improve patients' quality of life.

Methodology

This study employed a quasi-experimental design to investigate the effect of dhikr therapy on psychological distress in final stage cancer patients at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital in Medan, Indonesia. The research population consisted of 610 Muslim patients with end-stage cancer, who were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group consisted of 49 patients who received dhikr therapy, while the control group consisted of 49 patients who did not receive any intervention.

The tool used to measure psychological distress was the HSCL-25 (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), which is a widely used instrument to assess anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. The dhikr therapy intervention consisted of a 30-minute session, twice a day, for a period of one week. During each session, patients were instructed to repeat the sacred phrases 33 times, while focusing on their breath and relaxing their body.

Results

The results of this study showed a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group, with a p-value of 0.000, which is smaller than the alpha level of 0.05. This indicates that the research hypothesis is accepted, and that dhikr therapy is effective in reducing psychological distress in final stage cancer patients. Respondents who underwent dhikr therapy reported feelings of calmness, comfort, and closeness to God, which suggests that the therapy has a positive impact on patients' mental health.

Discussion

This study provides valuable insights into the importance of dhikr therapy as an intervention in overcoming psychological distress in cancer patients. The results of this study suggest that dhikr therapy can be an effective coping mechanism in dealing with difficult and painful conditions such as cancer. The spiritual practice of dhikr therapy not only functions as a tool to draw closer to God, but can also be an effective way to manage stress and anxiety in patients with cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of dhikr therapy in reducing psychological distress in final stage cancer patients. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the importance of spiritual practices in promoting mental health and well-being in patients with cancer. Future researchers are encouraged to continue exploring the benefits of remembrance therapy and applying it to groups of patients with various diseases other than final stage cancer. By understanding the benefits of remembrance in the context of mental health, we can develop more effective interventions to promote the well-being of patients with cancer.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research: Future researchers should continue to explore the benefits of dhikr therapy and apply it to groups of patients with various diseases other than final stage cancer.
Development of interventions: Healthcare providers should develop interventions that incorporate dhikr therapy as a way to promote mental health and well-being in patients with cancer.
Education and training: Healthcare providers should receive education and training on the use of dhikr therapy as a coping mechanism for patients with cancer.
Integration with conventional therapy: Dhikr therapy should be integrated with conventional therapy to provide a comprehensive approach to managing psychological distress in patients with cancer.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited duration: The duration of the dhikr therapy intervention was relatively short, which may not be sufficient to capture the full effects of the therapy.
Limited control group: The control group in this study did not receive any intervention, which may not be representative of real-world clinical settings.

Future Directions

Future research should aim to address the limitations of this study by:

Increasing sample size: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Extending the duration: Future studies should aim to extend the duration of the dhikr therapy intervention to capture the full effects of the therapy.
Developing more comprehensive interventions: Future studies should aim to develop more comprehensive interventions that incorporate dhikr therapy as a way to promote mental health and well-being in patients with cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of dhikr therapy in reducing psychological distress in final stage cancer patients. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the importance of spiritual practices in promoting mental health and well-being in patients with cancer. Future researchers are encouraged to continue exploring the benefits of remembrance therapy and applying it to groups of patients with various diseases other than final stage cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Remembrance Therapy on Psychological Distress in Final Stage Cancer Patients

Q: What is remembrance therapy, and how does it work?

A: Remembrance therapy, also known as dhikr therapy, is a spiritual practice that involves the repetition of sacred phrases to promote spiritual growth and well-being. The practice has been used for centuries in various cultures and religions, and has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.

Q: How does remembrance therapy reduce psychological distress in cancer patients?

A: Remembrance therapy has been shown to reduce psychological distress in cancer patients by promoting a sense of calmness, comfort, and closeness to God. The practice has been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve patients' quality of life.

Q: What are the benefits of remembrance therapy for cancer patients?

A: The benefits of remembrance therapy for cancer patients include:

Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression
Improved quality of life
Increased sense of calmness and comfort
Greater sense of closeness to God
Improved spiritual well-being

Q: How is remembrance therapy different from other forms of therapy?

A: Remembrance therapy is different from other forms of therapy in that it is a spiritual practice that involves the repetition of sacred phrases. Unlike other forms of therapy, which may focus on cognitive-behavioral techniques or medication, remembrance therapy focuses on promoting spiritual growth and well-being.

Q: Can remembrance therapy be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy?

A: Yes, remembrance therapy can be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. In fact, many healthcare providers recommend combining remembrance therapy with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, to provide a comprehensive approach to managing psychological distress in cancer patients.

Q: How can healthcare providers incorporate remembrance therapy into their practice?

A: Healthcare providers can incorporate remembrance therapy into their practice by:

Providing education and training on the use of remembrance therapy
Offering remembrance therapy sessions as part of a comprehensive treatment plan
Encouraging patients to practice remembrance therapy at home
Integrating remembrance therapy with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication

Q: What are the limitations of remembrance therapy?

A: The limitations of remembrance therapy include:

Limited research on the effectiveness of remembrance therapy in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients
Limited understanding of the mechanisms by which remembrance therapy works
Limited availability of trained healthcare providers who can provide remembrance therapy

Q: What are the future directions for research on remembrance therapy?

A: Future directions for research on remembrance therapy include:

Conducting larger-scale studies to investigate the effectiveness of remembrance therapy in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients
Exploring the mechanisms by which remembrance therapy works
Developing more comprehensive interventions that incorporate remembrance therapy as a way to promote mental health and well-being in patients with cancer.

Q: How can patients access remembrance therapy?

A: Patients can access remembrance therapy by:

Asking their healthcare provider about remembrance therapy
Searching online for remembrance therapy resources
Contacting local spiritual or faith-based organizations that offer remembrance therapy
Practicing remembrance therapy at home with the guidance of a healthcare provider or spiritual leader.

Q: What are the potential risks and side effects of remembrance therapy?

A: The potential risks and side effects of remembrance therapy are minimal, but may include:

Emotional distress or discomfort during the practice
Difficulty concentrating or focusing during the practice
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious during the practice
Feeling disconnected from one's spiritual or faith-based community.

Q: How can patients and healthcare providers work together to promote the use of remembrance therapy?

A: Patients and healthcare providers can work together to promote the use of remembrance therapy by:

Educating patients about the benefits and limitations of remembrance therapy
Encouraging patients to practice remembrance therapy at home
Providing education and training on the use of remembrance therapy
Integrating remembrance therapy with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication.