The effect of stress inoculation training on existential anxiety and resilience of cancer patients

Cancer is a chronic disease that is spreading day by day. Most people with cancer suffer from a lot of anxiety and stress. With regard to this issue, the present study investigated the effect of group training program for stress-inoculation on existential anxiety and resilience of cancer patients. The study was a randomized clinical trial conducted on 30 people with cancer who referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. Then they were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Questionnaire was used to collect information. Before the intervention, both groups completed the questionnaires. Then the intervention group received 8 sessions of 60-90-min stress-inoculation training. At the end of the intervention, both groups completed the research questionnaires immediately and after one month. The data was analyzed using SPSS25. The results showed a significant decrease in existential anxiety (p <= 0.001) and an increase in resilience (p <= 0.001) after stress-immunization training in the intervention group. During one month of follow-up, the results showed a significant decrease in existential anxiety (p <= 0.001), but no significant increase in resilience (p = 0.064). According to the results of this study, group training program for stress-inoculation has reduced the level of existential anxiety and resilience in cancer patients. Therefore, it is recommended that stress-inoculation training be considered in cancer patients. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20130812014333N100. Registered 2018-08-29,