psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a compelling therapeutic option warranting further investigation through rigorous, interdisciplinary research to promote an anthropologically/ethically grounded implementation in palliative settings, even beyond the oncology field.
Patients with life-limiting illnesses often experience profound emotional and spiritual challenges that conventional palliative care treatments may not fully alleviate. Psychedelics, with their potential to facilitate deep psychological insight, offer a promising approach to enhancing end-of-life care. Despite growing interest and emerging psychiatric applications, their use in palliative...
Objectives To assess the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for demoralisation in terminally ill patients receiving home hospice care. Methods In this open-label pilot trial, 4607 home hospice patients at a large community hospice were screened over 22 months; 66 were approached, 15 enrolled and 10 received psilocybin. Participants completed two...
Rectal tenesmus is the painful sensation of incomplete evacuation of the bowels, which is distressing and difficult to manage. Tenesmus is often caused by rectal carcinoma. It is thought there is a significant neuropathic component to tenesmus pain. Ketamine is an antagonist to the N-methyl D-aspartate receptor and has been used for neuropathic pain. We describe the case of a man with...
Cancer pain is a prevalent and challenging symptom affecting a significant number of patients globally, with inadequate control remaining a substantial challenge despite advancements in pain management. Non-pharmacological interventions, including mindfulness-based approaches, have shown promise in alleviating cancer-related pain. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a single session of...
Objectives Suffering is common among patients with advanced cancer. The practice of mindfulness during patient care can potentially reduce suffering. We aimed to examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based supportive therapy (MBST) on reducing suffering in patients with advanced cancer. Methods We conducted a parallel-group, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial at the University of Malaya...
Background: Burnout, stress and anxiety have been identified as areas of concern for informal caregivers and health professionals, particularly in the palliative setting. Meditative interventions are gaining acceptance as tools to improve well-being in a variety of clinical contexts, however, their effectiveness as an intervention for caregivers remains unknown. Aim: To explore the effect of...
Introduction Mindfulness Meditation involves paying attention to our mind and body moment by moment, being aware of what arises without judgement. Experience and evaluation demonstrated that some patients receiving one to one mindfulness meditation failed to achieve their identified goals due to difficulty in committing to regular meditation practice when at home. They felt the traditional...
Sometimes, people coming into specialist palliative care units unexpectedly improve with simple, compassionate care. Is this a mystery? Or does compassion directly affect human biology in ways we are only just beginning to understand? There is a widespread belief that kindness and compassion matter. They are what we would want for ourselves, or our loved ones; central, across religions and...