Abstract
We conducted the Cosmetic Program: a one-hour group lesson on make-up, with hospitalized female cancer patients and evaluated the effects of the program on psychological changes and quality of life (QOL). Participants: Hospitalized female cancer patients (n = 90) participated. They were included in one of two groups: the Cosmetic Program participants group and a control group. Method: The following questionnaires were administered to all participants on the day before the Cosmetic program and 3 days after: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Self-Esteem Scale, and Self-Consciousness Scale. We also gave a questionnaire on the Cosmetic Program 10 days after the program. Results: During the progress of hospitalization, “Social/Family Well-Being” and “Functional Well-Being”, which are related to activeness, declined. However, the psychological condition of patients tended to improve. The participants in the Cosmetic Program showed significant reductions in “anger-hostility”, “confusion”, in comparison to the control group (p<.05) and “Vigor” was significantly higher (p<.10). After the program, about 80% participants showed behavioral changes. The relationship between these changes and improvements in the QOL of patients is discussed.
