Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
August 1, 2026
Stefan Aguiar, Mary Makarious, Orly Lipsitz et al.
Depression and existential distress are highly prevalent among patients with advanced cancer, and there is growing evidence for ketamine as a rapidly acting antidepressant in the population, but few studies have examined existential distress outcomes with ketamine treatment. The INKeD-PC trial demonstrated efficacy of intranasal racemic ketamine for depression in patients with cancer receiving...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
August 1, 2026
Paul Noufi, Joshua B Borris, Danielle Chammas et al.
Patients with serious illnesses and short prognoses often experience depression and suicidal ideation. Traditional antidepressants are limited by delayed onset, creating a need for rapidly acting therapies. In this Palliative Care Rounds, we examine the evidence for ketamine/esketamine's efficacy as antidepressants, including evidence specific to people with serious illnesses. In psychiatric...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
August 1, 2026
Daniel A. Schaefer, Manish Agrawal, Emanuele Mazzola et al.
CONTEXT Psilocybin-assisted therapy has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in patients with cancer, but most trials have excluded individuals receiving active systemic anticancer treatment, limiting safety data in this population. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients receiving versus not receiving concurrent systemic anticancer...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
March 27, 2026
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia, Geovanna Maria Isidoro, Cremilson de Paula Silva
CONTEXT: People living with serious illness frequently experience intense existential suffering related to awareness of finitude. Psychedelic-assisted therapies have been associated with reductions in death anxiety and existential distress, yet the experiential processes underlying transformations in the relationship with finitude remain insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVES: To synthesize...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
March 1, 2026
William B Alexander, Eric D Hansen, Brian T Anderson et al.
1 citation
Meaning is a primary existential concern in those with advanced illnesses and functions as an important coping mechanism. Loss of meaning contributes to existential distress, and, in particular, may manifest as demoralization, a syndrome of poor coping that is associated with negative outcomes. Psychedelics are unique psychoactive compounds that, among other properties, are proposed to enhance...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
January 3, 2026
Karolina L Bryl, Adam W. Hanley, Raymond E Baser et al.
1 citation
Chronic pain affects many cancer survivors yet remains underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. Existing treatments (e.g., opioids, NSAIDs) carry risks like addiction and limited long-term relief, while non-pharmacological options show modest effectiveness. Given these limitations innovative, evidence-based interventions are needed. Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), a multimodal...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
September 1, 2023
Benjamin R. Lewis, Eric L Garland, Kevin Byrne et al.
60 citations
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy shows promise in treating depression and existential distress in people with serious medical illness. However, its individual-based methodology poses challenges for scaling and resource availability. The HOPE trial (A Pilot Study of Psilocybin Enhanced Group Psychotherapy in Patients with Cancer) is an Institutional Review Boards-approved open-label feasibility...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
February 11, 2022
Lucas Oliveira Maia, Yvan Beaussant, Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia
59 citations
ContextPeople affected by serious illness usually experience suffering in its various dimensions, not only in the physical but also in the psychosocial and spiritual aspects. The interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies as a potential new therapeutic modality has increased since evidence suggests a significant impact of their use on the outcomes of patients with serious illness.ObjectivesTo...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
February 24, 2020
Sunre Park, Yasuko Sato, Yuka Takita et al.
CONTEXT Mindfulness-based interventions have been receiving growing attention in cancer care. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for psychological distress (anxiety and depression), fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), fatigue, spiritual wellbeing and quality of life (QOL) in Japanese ambulatory...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
February 13, 2020
K. Milbury, S. Weathers, Sania Durrani et al.
Purpose: Although patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors (BT) and their partners are at risk of experiencing high symptom burden, they are often excluded from psychosocial intervention studies. Thus, we sought to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a couple-based meditation (CBM) program targeting symptom and well-being outcomes. Methods: Couples completed baseline...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
September 1, 2019
Buddy Marterre
Many of our experiences in hospice and palliative care medicine are challenging. We support dying patients and their families as they struggle with the transition from life to death and continue to support those in mourning. Many times, in America, it is difficult to even appreciate a glimmer of spiritual grace as our patients die. We easily remain stuck in the material and distance ourselves...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
2015
Carolyn Jacobs
Exploring contemplative practices and spirituality in social work has developed a new impetus as the understanding of the importance of those variables in patient care has increased. Social work brings its historical attention to the whole person and the many ways the social worker and patient understand their respective roles in assisting in the process of healing and coping with loss. It is...