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Sansoni M, Scarzello G, Serino S, Groff E, Riva G. Mitigating negative emotions through virtual reality and embodiment. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:916227. [PMID: 35992949 PMCID: PMC9381836 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.916227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncological treatments are responsible for many of the physical changes (aesthetic and functional) associated with cancer. Because of this, cancer patients are at high risk of developing mental health problems. The aim of this study is to propose an innovative Virtual Reality (VR) training that uses a somatic technique (i.e., embodiment) to create a bridge with the bodily dimension of cancer. After undergoing a psycho-educational procedure, a combination of exposure, out-of-body experience, and body swapping will gradually train the patient to cope with cancer-related difficulties, increasing stress tolerance, and patient empowerment. The most engaging step of this advanced form of Stress Inoculation Training is the body swapping experience, which will guide the patient in embodying a resilient cancer patient who is facing similar difficulties. Through the VR ability to simulate the human brain functioning, and the potential of embodiment to hook to the somatic dimension of illness, we expect that once the concepts endured through the patient’s experience of resilience are triggered, the patient will be more prone to implement functional coping strategies in real life, reaching empowerment and adjusting to the post-treatment difficulties. When the scenarios are built and the training tested, our intervention could be used to support patients with different oncological diseases and who are treated in different cancer hospitals, as well as patients with other non-oncological problems (e.g., social anxiety). Future research should focus on using our paradigm for other clinical populations, and supporting cancer patients in coping with different distressing situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sansoni
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maria Sansoni
| | | | - Silvia Serino
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Groff
- Radiotherapy, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico, Milan, Italy
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Mathew B, Mohanti BK, Tewari S, Munshi A. Integrating psycho-oncology services in cancer care in India. Indian J Cancer 2020; 58:290-293. [PMID: 33402596 DOI: 10.4103/ijc.ijc_217_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Psychological distress is often an under-diagnosed problem in cancer care. Addressing psychosocial issues would enhance treatment compliance, physician-patient relationship, treatment efficacy and quality of life. This article emphasizes the importance of integrating psycho-oncology services in cancer care and attempts to define the various roles that a psycho-oncologist can play across the entire trajectory. It also highlights the indispensable role played by the oncologists' referrals in maximizing the benefits of psycho-oncology services received by patients and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bincy Mathew
- Department of Oncology, Human Care Medical Chartiable Trust, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Bidhu Kalyan Mohanti
- Department of Oncology, Human Care Medical Chartiable Trust, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Saipriya Tewari
- Department of Oncology, Human Care Medical Chartiable Trust, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Anusheel Munshi
- Department of Oncology, Human Care Medical Chartiable Trust, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi, India
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Fielding R. Developing a preventive psycho-oncology for a global context. The International Psycho-Oncology Society 2018 Sutherland Award Lecture. Psychooncology 2019; 28:1595-1600. [PMID: 31222864 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing rates of cancer and survivorship, in situations of severe resource constraints, force a rethink about managing cancer-related psychosocial distress (CRPD). Here, a prevention-oriented natural history of distress is proposed, derived from developments in our understanding of the evolution and decay of CRPD. METHODS The literature indicates that at least four classes or natural histories of CRPD are identifiable. These are described in the context of prevention-oriented activities in psycho-oncology: (1) CRPD in persons with good coping resources, resulting from reaction to the diagnosis and treatment lifestyle disruption, which is largely self-limiting and preferably self-managed; (2) CRPD arising from residual, or late effects of disease or treatment, potentially persistent and debilitating; (3) CRPD in persons with preexisting coping difficulties; and (4) CRPD arising from existential issues such as mortality and fear of recurrence. RESULTS It is hypothesized that different natural histories of CRPD display different evolution, indicating potential causal processes, treatment priorities, and preventive strategies. In particular, the effective management of residual symptoms is crucial to prevent CRPD chronicity. Optimal patient involvement in treatment decision-making is also required. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to develop methods to differentiate if, early in the illness trajectory, the distressed patient is not able to self-manage the stress of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Not all distressed patients want or need help, and addressing just the CRPD may be inadequate where unresolved residual symptoms prevent renormalization after treatment. Improved doctor-patient communication around treatment decisions is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Fielding
- Centre for Psycho-Oncology Research & Training and Hong Kong Jockey Club Integrated Cancer Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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Perez S, Lambert SD, Lee V, Loiselle CG, Chan P, Gupta A, Lo K, Rosberger Z, Zelkowitz P. A fertility needs assessment survey of male cancer patients. Psychooncology 2018; 27:2747-2753. [PMID: 30176700 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe fertility-related informational needs and practices, and to examine if demographic characteristics are related to these needs and practices. METHODS A needs assessment survey was conducted at three Canadian cancer centres. RESULTS 192 male cancer patients (Mage = 33.6) completed the survey. Most patients (70%) recalled having had a discussion with a health care provider regarding their fertility and 44% banked their sperm. Patients reported not getting all the information that they wanted, eg, the risk that a future child may have the same type of cancer (78%), and what was covered by insurance plans (71%). Barriers to sperm preservation were urgency to begin cancer treatment (49%), not planning to have a child in the future (47%) and worries that cancer could be passed on to future children (38%). Participants' age and being the parent of a child were significantly associated with having had a discussion about fertility. Participants' age, province, being the parent of a child and the desire for future children were significantly associated with fertility preservation. CONCLUSIONS Discussions with health care providers were more frequent, and fertility preservation rates were higher than in past studies, but still not all patients' questions were answered. Misconceptions about passing on cancer to one's child, and that sperm preservation will delay treatment, should be dispelled. Health care providers can ask patients if they have any desire to have children in the future as a way to initiate a discussion of fertility preservation. Key information gaps and psychosocial resource needs are suggested to fully meet male cancer patients' fertility-related concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara Perez
- Department of Psychiatry Montreal, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie D Lambert
- School of Nursing Montreal, McGill University Ingram School of Nursing Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,St. Mary's Research Centre Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Virginia Lee
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carmen G Loiselle
- School of Nursing Montreal, McGill University Ingram School of Nursing Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Segal Cancer Center Montreal, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Peter Chan
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Abha Gupta
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kirk Lo
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zeev Rosberger
- Department of Psychiatry Montreal, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Segal Cancer Center Montreal, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Phyllis Zelkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry Montreal, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry Montreal, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Dunn J, Adams C, Holland J, Watson M. Reinforcing the role of psycho-social oncology in global cancer prevention: applying psycho-oncology research in programmes and practice. Psychooncology 2015; 24:1217-1221. [PMID: 29978931 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, global action to address the emerging crisis in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has escalated. Central to these efforts has been the support and influence of the World Health Organisation and the United Nations with the 2000 civil societies represented by the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance. In particular this reached expression in the world's first High Level Meeting on NCDs by the United Nations leading to the 2011 Political Declaration urging a coordinated global response to NCDs. Where then does psycho-oncology sit in this global context? Psycho-oncology practitioners and their collective, the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), have traditionally been situated within a patient focus and context. However, through linkages with community-based and non-government cancer organisations' agencies, psycho-oncology research and practice has played a key role in reducing cancer risk, improving cancer survivorship, and influencing social and cultural change to eliminate disease-related stigma. As a discipline, psycho-oncology has contributed to widespread recognition of patient-centred care in cancer and along with a broad acceptance and endorsement of the IPOS International Standard. However psycho-oncology is less well accepted in nation-state cancer plans and herein lies opportunity. This special issue includes research across the illness continuum from cancer prevention to screening and early detection, and then to tertiary prevention with lifestyle considerations for cancer survivors. Importantly this demonstrates the capacity within psycho-oncology to develop new understandings of cancer as not only a disease but also a context linked to individual, community, and society health and well-being. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Dunn
- Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.,School of Social Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,International Union Against Cancer, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cary Adams
- International Union Against Cancer, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jimmie Holland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maggie Watson
- Pastoral and Psychological Care, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK.,Research Department of Clinical, Health and Educational Psychology, University College London, UK
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