Spirituality, psychotherapy and music in palliative cancer care: research projects in psycho-oncology at an oncology center in Switzerland.
Monika Renz, Miriam Schütt Mao, Thomas Cerny
Supportive Care in Cancer December 2005 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-005-0873-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 251 |
| Population | Advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care |
| Interventions | Music therapy psychotherapy spiritual assistance |
| Topics | End-of-life distress |
| Key findings | In the second project, 135 of 251 treated patients reported spiritual experiences, which the authors say can alleviate pain, release anxiety and despair, engender serenity and wholeness, and facilitate dying. The first project described three stages in the dying process, with a 'passing through' often followed by a spiritual opening. The authors argue that music therapy, psychotherapy, and spiritual assistance are essential methods for psycho-oncology and palliative care. |
Abstract
It is recognized as increasingly important in palliative care that spiritual needs of terminally ill patients should be acknowledged and addressed. Two research projects investigated the feasibility of psychotherapeutic and music therapeutic assistance offered to advanced cancer patients. The first project (1998-2000) sought to improve the understanding of the effect of therapeutic support given to 80 patients and the characteristics of the dying process. The second project (2000-2003) assessed the significance of spiritual experiences in illness and affliction. Empathic therapeutic assistance, observations and systematic record keeping were combined with statistical assessment in an interdisciplinary approach. A respectful attitude and spiritual care were taken to perceive and analyse changes in border areas of life. The first project studied the rules and methods of terminal communication and described three stages in the dying process. After a 'passing through,' the dying often had a spiritual opening leading in a state beyond all pain. The second project concentrated on spiritual experiences. Of 251 treated patients, 135 had such experiences. Spiritual experiences can have a great impact on physical and emotional well-being (alleviate pain, release from anxiety and despair, engender feelings of serenity and wholeness) and facilitate dying. Music therapy, psychotherapy and spiritual assistance offer essential methods for psycho-oncology and palliative care. A holistic and interdisciplinary approach is needed to assist patients in their complex suffering. Our findings on spiritual experience and terminal communication should stimulate further research in a still unexplored territory of clinical research.