Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Paradoxical Psychotherapy (PTC) in improving adherence to treatment and tracking its progression over time in female cancer patients.
Methods: This investigation utilized a quasi‑experimental pretest–posttest design featuring a control group. The study sample consisted of female cancer patients receiving care at the Baqaii Hospital a Specialized Oncology Center in Ahvaz, Iran. Participants were selected via purposive sampling and randomly allocated to either the experimental group (n=21) or the control group (n=21). Data were gathered using the Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire.Participants in the experimental group received six individual, face-to-face Paradox Therapy (PTC) sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and the research hypothesis was tested using mixed analysis of variance in SPSS-25, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05
Results: PTC significantly improved treatment adherence, with its positive impact persisting over time.
Conclusions: Cancer patients frequently experience significant psychological distress due to the demanding and often painful treatment process. Identifying effective strategies to alleviate these anxieties is crucial for enhancing patient well-being. By investigating the impact of PTC on treatment adherence in cancer patients, this study contributes to bridging a major seam in psychosocial oncology.