Fostering human dignity during chemotherapy: An explorative study on Dignity Therapy in advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer
- 1Medical Oncology, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
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).
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Significance 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.
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BibTeX
@article{andreis2026fostering,
title = {{Fostering human dignity during chemotherapy: An explorative study on Dignity Therapy in advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer}},
author = {Federica Andreis and Chiara Deori and Fausto Meriggi and Alberto Zaniboni},
journal = {Palliative \& Supportive Care},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1017/s1478951526103472},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951526103472},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fostering human dignity during chemotherapy: An explorative study on Dignity Therapy in advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer
AU - Federica Andreis
AU - Chiara Deori
AU - Fausto Meriggi
AU - Alberto Zaniboni
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/11
JO - Palliative & Supportive Care
DO - 10.1017/s1478951526103472
UR - https://doi.org/10.1017/s1478951526103472
AB - 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). Methods: 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. Results: 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. Significance 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.
SN - 1478-9515
SN - 1478-9523
ER -