Comparison Between the Effectiveness of Group Hope Training and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) on Hope and Quality of Life among Children with Cancer

Background: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of group hope training and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) on hope and quality of life among children with cancer. Methods: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group hopefulness and group training of psycho-neurological programming (NLP) on the level of hope and quality of life of children with cancer. This was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The study participants include all literate 7-18-year-old girls and boys with cancer treated at Amirkabir Hospital (Central Province Children’s Cancer Hospital) and Tabassum Cancer Association (Central Province Cancer Association) in 2016. In total, 60 people were selected by the available sampling method and randomly divided into three groups: group hope training (20 people), NLP (20 people), and a control group without any therapeutic intervention (20 people). The Children’s Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Snyder Children’s Hope Scale were used. Multivariate and one-way analyses of covariance were applied to analyze the data. Results: There was a significant difference between group hope training and the NLP group. Both interventions had almost the same effect on the quality of life, while group hope training had a higher effect on dependent variables. Results showed that LNP group training led to increased quality of life and hope, predicting 70% and 40% of their variances. In addition, findings showed the effectiveness of group hope training on increased quality of life and hope and could predict 53% and 84% of their variances, respectively. The findings showed that NLP training and group hope training increased quality of life and hope. Conclusion: According to the findings from this study, LNP group training and hope group training can increase the quality of life and hope. Based on the findings of the present study and the results of previous studies, it can be concluded that group hope and group training of neuro-linguistic programming, based on their basic principles and techniques and changing beliefs and attitudes of individuals and hope for learning, helps children with cancer change the way they react to these events, thus reduce their stress and frustration, and set specific goals for the future that inspires them. These studies show that these psychological interventions lead to positive changes and increase hope and quality of life of children with cancer.