The effects of narrative therapy on stigma of patients with permanent enterostomy: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: Permanent enterostomy is often associated with stigma and poor psychosocial adaptation. This study aimed to develop a narrative therapy (NT) program for ostomy patients and evaluate its efficacy. METHOD: In this randomized controlled trial, 96 patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups at a 1:1 ratio. The control group received standard nursing care, while the intervention group additionally received an 8-week NT program starting from the first week after discharge. Stigma and psychosocial adaptation were assessed using the Social Impact Scale and the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-20, respectively, one day before discharge, at the end of intervention, and at one month post-intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of general or disease-related characteristics (all P > 0.05). Stigma scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the end of intervention and one month post-intervention (both P < 0.001), with a progressive decrease in the intervention group and an increasing trend in the control group over time (all P < 0.05). At the end of intervention and one month post-intervention, compared to the control group, the scores of psychosocial adaptation were higher in the intervention group (both P < 0.001), with a progressive increase over time (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NT for ostomy patients reduced stigma and improved psychosocial adaptation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Registry of Clinical Trials: ChiCTR2500109681.