OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating role of self-perceived burden between meaning in life and the level of dignity in patients with disability. METHODS: From July to October 2023, 229 disabled patients in a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China were selected and surveyed using the Self-Perceived Burden Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Patient Dignity Inventory. RESULTS: The levels of self-perceived burden, meaning of life, and dignity of the disabled patients were 23.55 ± 9.83, 46.27 ± 9.71, and 43.38 ± 22.04 points, respectively. Self-perceived burden was positively correlated with the level of dignity ( CONCLUSION: Self-perceived burden partially mediated the relationship between the meaning of life and the dignity of patients with incapacitation. Caregivers should pay attention to the level of patients' self-perceived burden and actively cooperate with treatment and control of disease development as the current goal of life to enhance patients' meaning of life and improve the loss of dignity.