The Effect of Positive Thinking Skill Training on and Life Expectancy in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background and Aims: Cancer has been introduced as a threatening disease and the main cause of death in the world, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are its main treatments. Positive thinking as a psychological approach can have positive effects on patients undergoing chemotherapy. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of positive thinking skill training on life expectancy in chemotherapy patients. Materials and Methods: The study is semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included patients undergoing chemotherapy at Birjand Oncology and Radiotherapy Center in two intervention (15 people) and control (15 people) groups.8 sessions positive thinking training using Schneider's life expectancy tool were in life. Descriptive tests of Chi-square,Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon were used to check and compare the averages in each group using SPSS 21 software. Result: The findings showed positive thinking skills has a significant effect on improving the life expectancy of patients undergoing chemotherapy. The comparison of the average scores of life expectancy after the intervention in the group showed that a significant increase in the scores of these two variables was observed in the intervention group. This number was significant in the intervention group after the test (P ≤ 0.001), while in No significant change in the control group. Conclusion: Teaching positive thinking skills increases life expectancy in chemotherapy patients. The use of this method is suggested as a complementary medicine along with other treatment methods, to help improve the mental state and reduce the negative emotions of cancer patients.