{
  "abstract": "Objectives: Advanced pancreatic and gastric cancers are associated with high symptom burden and psychological distress, potentially threatening patients’ sense of dignity. Although Dignity Therapy (DT) has mainly been used in end-of-life care, its potential role earlier in the disease trajectory is emerging. This exploratory study investigated the feasibility and potential impact of DT during active chemotherapy on emotional distress, dignity-related distress, and quality of life (QoL).\n\nMethods: Thirty patients with advanced pancreatic or gastric cancer undergoing chemotherapy received a 3-session DT intervention over approximately 3 weeks. Emotional distress, dignity-related distress, and QoL were assessed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 1-month follow-up (T2) using the Distress Thermometer, Patient Dignity Inventory, and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30. Exploratory analyses assessed changes over time.\n\nResults: Emotional distress decreased significantly from T0 (M = 6.67, SD = 1.47) to T1 (M = 3.13, SD = 1.43; p < .001) and remained lower at T2 (M = 3.50, SD = 1.53; p < .001). Dignity-related distress also decreased from T0 (M = 37.1, SD = 3.03) to T1 (M = 27.9, SD = 1.79; p < .001), with sustained improvement at T2 (M = 25.4, SD = 12.86; p < .01). QoL remained stable. Participants reported high acceptability of the intervention.\n\nSignificance of results: DT during chemotherapy appears feasible and may improve emotional and dignity-related outcomes. Results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size, attrition, and lack of a control group.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Medical Oncology, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Federica Andreis",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2111-3728"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chiara Deori"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fausto Meriggi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alberto Zaniboni"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aqcw53f1ajhjj.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1017/s1478951526103472",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13735767/",
  "id": "aqcw53f1ajhjj",
  "issns": [
    "1478-9515",
    "1478-9523"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951526103472",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-SA 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2910|Patient Dignity and Privacy"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7202193681",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E3F18CF832BA3FF79C7035438ACC1066/S1478951526103472a.pdf/div-class-title-fostering-human-dignity-during-chemotherapy-an-explorative-study-on-dignity-therapy-in-advanced-gastric-and-pancreatic-cancer-div.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13735767",
  "pmid": "42576446",
  "published": "2026-08-11",
  "publisher": "Cambridge University Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aqcw53f1ajhjj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:21:23Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13735767",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951526103472"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:2739|Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Fostering human dignity during chemotherapy: An explorative study on Dignity Therapy in advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer",
  "title_text": "Fostering human dignity during chemotherapy: An explorative study on Dignity Therapy in advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:21:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aqcw53f1ajhjj",
  "venue": "Palliative & Supportive Care",
  "versions": []
}