The use of mindfulness practices in alleviating mental disorders in patients under palliative care

Tymon Wojczulis; Katarzyna Ziemek; Ewa Żukowska; Aleksandra Janota; Tomasz Dzierżanowski

doi:10.5114/pm.2024.140261

eISSN: 2081-2833
ISSN: 2081-0016

Medycyna Paliatywna/Palliative Medicine

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3/2024
vol. 16

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abstract:

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The use of mindfulness practices in alleviating mental disorders in patients under palliative care

Tymon Wojczulis

¹

,

Katarzyna Ziemek

¹

,

Ewa Żukowska

¹

,

Aleksandra Janota

¹

,

Tomasz Dzierżanowski

^{1, 2}

Klinika Medycyny Paliatywnej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
Caritas Diecezji Warszawsko-Praskiej, Warszawa, Polska

Medycyna Paliatywna 2024; 16(2): 161–166

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2024.140261

Online publish date: 2024/06/05

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Palliative care is a crucial area of medicine aimed at providing holistic support to patients with incurable illnesses, addressing their physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Among patients receiving palliative care, depressive disorders, anxiety, and chronic fatigue are common, significantly impacting their quality of life. In recent years, the practice of mindfulness, which involves focusing on the present moment, has become increasingly popular. It has been recognised as a potentially effective tool in alleviating symptoms of stress. Research papers suggest that regular mindfulness practice can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in palliative care patients both immediately after the intervention and up to 12 months later. These therapies are well tolerated by patients and may constitute an essential component of comprehensive palliative care. With the advancement of digital health technology, it becomes possible to deliver mindfulness interventions through digital devices and platforms, which may broaden the accessibility of such support. However, further research is necessary to better understand the differences in the effectiveness of various forms of mindfulness therapy and their potential benefits in the context of palliative care, as well as to develop optimal strategies for implementing these interventions in clinical practice.

keywords:

The use of mindfulness practices in alleviating mental disorders in patients under palliative care

Tymon Wojczulis 1 , Katarzyna Ziemek 1 , Ewa Żukowska 1 , Aleksandra Janota 1 , Tomasz Dzierżanowski 1, 2

palliative care, depression, anxiety, fatigue, mindfulness, MBSR, MBCT

Tymon Wojczulis

¹

,

Katarzyna Ziemek

¹

,

Ewa Żukowska

¹

,

Aleksandra Janota

¹

,

Tomasz Dzierżanowski

^{1, 2}