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PRESENTING AUTHOR

Title Andreis Federica

Email federica.andreis@poliambulanza.it

Mobile phone 338-9016148

Email federica.andreis@poliambulanza.it

ABSTRACT DETAILS

Abstract presentation Poster Presentation

preference

Is clinical or research Clinical

abstract format

Title Existential Continuity: Dignity Therapy in patients with

advanced gastic cancer

BACKGROUND-AIM

Often a diagnosis of gastric cancer occurs in a metastatic stage and related symptoms have
a negative impact on patient’s Quality of Life (QoL). This kind of experience leads to high
levels of emotional distress, that increase loss of meaning and purpose in their lives. For
this reason, we are going to propose a specific intervention “Dignity Therapy” (DT) to help
patients in preserving and improving QoL, to increase their sense of meaning, their
perception of dignity and to relieve anxiety, demoralization and existential distress.
METHODS

Our research is going to be conducted with patients undergoing active chemo treatment for
a metastatic onset diagnosis of pancreas and stomach cancer with the prognosis of 6-12
months. In a first phase we want to assess emotional distress, dignity-related distress and
QoL using a psychometric battery. In a second phase we manage a DT intervention
consisting in 4 sessions ending with the drafting of Generativity Document, that could be
given by the patient to family members. In the last session of this phase, we manage a
retest of the initial psychometric battery, which will be repeated in a third follow-up
phase, 1 month after DT Intervention.

RESULTS

We hope to observe a statistically significant improvements in existential and emotional

patient’s experience during their care path.

CONCLUSION

Confirmed by several studies the benefical effects of DT in end of life patients, our purpose
is to include this psychotherapy during active treatment to allow patients to encourage a
proactive prospective, which could anticipate and maximize the benefical effects of DT.

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