Life album to decrease depression and increase meaning of life in cancer patients receiving hospice and palliative care

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of life album on depression and meaning of life in patients who received hospice and palliative care in Taiwan. This study used a quasi-experimental design. Data collected were from hospice palliative care unit, hospital-based palliative team and home care hospice of a regional teaching hospital in the southern Taiwan. Using a purposive sampling, a total of 17 participants were recruited. The experimental group (n = 10) received life album programme, the control group (n = 7) received only usual care. Comparing the pretest and posttest Chinese version Beck depression inventory II scores, the participants in the experimental group had significant lower scores in the post-test (F = 5.612, p = .033). The average depression score decreased 1.7. Meanwhile, the participants in the experimental group had statistical lower score of the Chinese version Purpose in Life test after receiving the intervention. The average Purpose in Life score increased significantly 2.3. The results suggested that the life album was effective in promoting the meaning of life and decreasing depression in advanced cancer patients who were receiving palliative care. Creating a life album may be a valuable and innovative intervention for nurses who are taking care of cancer or dying patients.