Dignity Therapy Interventions For Young People In Palliative Care: A Rapid Structured Evidence Review

Background: Dignity therapy is becoming established in adult settings, with research supporting its effectiveness. Aims: This article aims to summarise and synthesise the research that has explored dignity therapy and related meaning-making interventions in palliative care with young people. Methods: A rapid structured review was undertaken. Quality appraisal was based on the randomised control trial or cohort study Critical Appraisals Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Results: Four studies met the inclusion criteria; one focused on young people (7-17 years), the other three included young people but mean ages were 50-70 years. Dignity therapy was found to improve aspects of wellbeing for the patient and was perceived as helpful for the family. Conclusions: Dignity therapy is well received, with improvements in measures of wellbeing. However, few studies have included young people (24 years and below). This highlights a clear gap in the literature, suggesting the need to develop and evaluate a dignity therapy or related meaning-making intervention to support young people.