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A potencial adesão dos doentes oncológicos a tratamentos alternativos para alívio do sofrimento psicológico
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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Pacientes oncológicos frequentemente enfrentam um nível elevado de sofrimento psicológico,
uma condição que, se não identificada e tratada, pode comprometer a adesão ao tratamento,
impactando negativamente na recuperação do paciente (Grassi et al., 2014; Griffiths et al., 2016;
Mackenzie et al., 2013; Ross, 2018a; Ross et al., 2016). A última investigação do International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), em 2020, revelou que o número de novos casos de
cancro no mundo ultrapassava os 19 milhões, desse modo torna-se emergente medidas que
busquem amenizar o sofrimento psíquico desses pacientes. Diante desse contexto, o presente
estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre o sofrimento psicológico e o interesse em
tratamentos alternativos com psicadélicos. Uma vez que, os tratamentos psicofarmacológicos
disponíveis atualmente apresentam eficácia limitada e, quando combinados com os
medicamentos para o cancro, podem oferecer riscos e diversos efeitos colaterais associados
(Grassi et al., 2014). Estudos recentes têm verificado que a psilocibina é uma promissora
alternativa, demonstrando redução significativa dos sintomas de ansiedade e humor deprimido
em pacientes oncológicos em situação de risco de vida (Griffiths et al., 2016; Grob et al., 2011;
Ross et al., 2016). Utilizamos a escala HADS para mensurar o sofrimento psicológico e um
questionário para avaliar o conhecimento prévio e o interesse em psicadélicos, investigamos a
perceção dos pacientes oncológicos sobre essas substâncias. Encontramos uma modesta
associação entre níveis mais elevados de ansiedade e depressão e um interesse ligeiro em
tratamentos alternativos, também verificamos que pacientes com sintomatologia ansiosa
mantêm uma perspetiva positiva em relação aos psicadélicos como possíveis tratamentos
eficazes para o sofrimento psicológico. Devemos salientar, entretanto, a não significância
estatística dessas associações, indicando que outros fatores podem influenciar o interesse em
substâncias psicadélicas.
ABSTRACT: Cancer patients often experience a high level of psychological distress, a condition that, if left unidentified and untreated, can compromise treatment adherence and negatively impact patient recovery (Grassi et al., 2014; Griffiths et al., 2016; Mackenzie et al., 2013; Ross, 2018a; Ross et al., 2016). The latest research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2020 revealed that the number of new cancer cases worldwide exceeded 19 million, highlighting the urgent need for measures to alleviate the psychological suffering of these patients. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the association between psychological distress and interest in alternative treatments involving psychedelics. Considering that currently available psychopharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and, when combined with cancer medications, may pose risks and various associated side effects (Grassi et al., 2014), there is a growing interest in exploring alternative options. Recent studies have shown that psilocybin is a promising alternative, demonstrating a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood in life-threatening cancer patients (Griffiths et al., 2016; Grob et al., 2011; Ross et al., 2016).We utilized the HADS scale to measure psychological distress and a questionnaire to assess prior knowledge and interest in psychedelics, investigating the perceptions of cancer patients regarding these substances. Our findings indicated a modest association between higher levels of anxiety and depression and a slight interest in alternative treatments. Additionally, we observed that patients with anxious symptoms maintain a positive perspective on psychedelics as potential effective treatments for psychological distress. It is crucial to emphasize, however, the non-significant statistical nature of these associations, suggesting that other factors may influence interest in psychedelic substances. Future research should explore these aspects further to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between psychological distress and attitudes towards alternative treatments in cancer patients.
ABSTRACT: Cancer patients often experience a high level of psychological distress, a condition that, if left unidentified and untreated, can compromise treatment adherence and negatively impact patient recovery (Grassi et al., 2014; Griffiths et al., 2016; Mackenzie et al., 2013; Ross, 2018a; Ross et al., 2016). The latest research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2020 revealed that the number of new cancer cases worldwide exceeded 19 million, highlighting the urgent need for measures to alleviate the psychological suffering of these patients. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the association between psychological distress and interest in alternative treatments involving psychedelics. Considering that currently available psychopharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and, when combined with cancer medications, may pose risks and various associated side effects (Grassi et al., 2014), there is a growing interest in exploring alternative options. Recent studies have shown that psilocybin is a promising alternative, demonstrating a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood in life-threatening cancer patients (Griffiths et al., 2016; Grob et al., 2011; Ross et al., 2016).We utilized the HADS scale to measure psychological distress and a questionnaire to assess prior knowledge and interest in psychedelics, investigating the perceptions of cancer patients regarding these substances. Our findings indicated a modest association between higher levels of anxiety and depression and a slight interest in alternative treatments. Additionally, we observed that patients with anxious symptoms maintain a positive perspective on psychedelics as potential effective treatments for psychological distress. It is crucial to emphasize, however, the non-significant statistical nature of these associations, suggesting that other factors may influence interest in psychedelic substances. Future research should explore these aspects further to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between psychological distress and attitudes towards alternative treatments in cancer patients.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado
realizada sob a orientação da Professora Doutora
Carolina Seybert apresentada no
Ispa – Instituto Universitário para
obtenção de grau de Mestre na
especialidade de Mestre em
Psicologia Clínica.
Keywords
Cancro Sofrimento psicológico Psicadélicos Tratamentos alternativos Cancer Psychological distress Psychedelics Alternative treatments