scholarly journals Neurobiological Impact of EMDR in Cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Carletto ◽  
Marco Pagani

The exposure to a life-threatening disease such as cancer may constitute a traumatic experience that in some cases may lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recent years, several studies investigated this syndrome in patients with cancer, but few focused on the underlying neurobiology. The aim of this work was to review the current literature of neurobiology of PTSD in oncological diseases, focusing on a comparison with the results of neurobiological studies on PTSD in non-oncological patients and on treatments resulted effective for such disorder. Brain structures having a role in the appearance of PTSD in psycho-oncology, and in particular, in intrusive symptoms, seem to be the same involved in non-oncologic PTSD. These findings may have important implications also at clinical level, suggesting that psychotherapies found to be effective to treat PTSD in different populations may be offered also to patients with cancer-induced posttraumatic symptoms. Further studies are needed to deepen our knowledge about cancer-related PTSD neurobiology and its treatment, aiming at transferring the results into clinical practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 5201
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Onorato ◽  
Mariantonietta Pisaturo ◽  
Clarissa Camaioni ◽  
Pierantonio Grimaldi ◽  
Alessio Vinicio Codella ◽  
...  

Reactivation of overt or occult HBV infection (HBVr) is a well-known, potentially life-threatening event which can occur during the course of immunosuppressive treatments. Although it has been described mainly in subjects receiving therapy for oncological or hematological diseases, the increasing use of immunosuppressant agents in non-oncological patients observed in recent years has raised concerns about the risk of reactivation in several other settings. However, few data can be found in the literature on the occurrence of HBVr in these populations, and few clear recommendations on its management have been defined. The present paper was written to provide an overview of the risk of HBV reactivation in non-neoplastic patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs, particularly for rheumatological, gastrointestinal, dermatological and neurological diseases, and for COVID-19 patients receiving immunomodulating agents; and to discuss the potential strategies for prevention and treatment of HBVr in these settings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eelco Olde ◽  
Rolf J. Kleber ◽  
Onno van der Hart ◽  
Victor J.M. Pop

Childbirth has been identified as a possible traumatic experience, leading to traumatic stress responses and even to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) in a group of women who recently gave birth (N = 435). In addition, a comparison was made between the original IES and the IES-R. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88). Using confirmatory factor analysis no support was found for a three-factor structure of an intrusion, an avoidance, and a hyperarousal factor. Goodness of fit was only reasonable, even after fitting one intrusion item on the hyperarousal scale. The IES-R correlated significantly with scores on depression and anxiety self-rating scales, as well as with scores on a self-rating scale of posttraumatic stress disorder. Although the IES-R can be used for studying posttraumatic stress reactions in women who recently gave birth, the original IES proved to be a better instrument compared to the IES-R. It is concluded that adding the hyperarousal scale to the IES-R did not make the scale stronger.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Renata Pinto Ribeiro ◽  
Teresa Francisca Moraes Pinto ◽  
Clarissa Santos Carvalho Ribeiro ◽  
Valdinéa Luiz Hertel

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi de identificar as dificuldades do profissional enfermeiro frente à criança com câncer, verificar se há preparo adequado para atender às necessidades de uma criança com doenças oncológicas; e qual a forma de enfrentamento utilizada pelo profissional diante das dificuldades encontradas, no atendimento a essa criança. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, objetivando identificar quais dificuldades o profissional de enfermagem enfrenta no cuidado de criança com câncer e de seus familiares, os mecanismos de enfrentamento dessas dificuldades no atendimento dos mesmos e se há preparo adequado dos mesmos para atender as necessidades dessas crianças. Os sujeitos foram quatro enfermeiras que cuidam ou já cuidaram de crianças com câncer no Hospital Bom Pastor – Varginha/MG. A coleta de dados foi desenvolvida por uma entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: Constatou-se que as dificuldades são: cuidar de criança em estado grave, seus pais e o envolvimento emocional. Aos meios de enfrentamento referem à oração e a distração. Quanto ao preparo do profissional referem despreparo para atuar nesta área. Conclusão: Conclui-se que há falta de preparo aos profissionais, embora os mesmos cuidem com humanização dessas crianças.  Palavras-chave: Enfermeiro; Crianças; Câncer.   ABSTRACT: Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the difficulties of the professional nurse when taking care of a child with cancer, check the adequate preparation to meet the needs of children with oncological diseases; and what form of coping with the situation the professionals used when taking care of this child. Methodology: This was a qualitative study , aiming to identify the difficulties the professional faces in the care of children with cancer and their families , the coping mechanisms of these difficulties in the care  and if there is adequate preparation thereof to meet the needs of these children. The subjects were four nurses who care or have cared for children with cancer at Good Shepherd Hospital – Varginha/MG. Data collection was carried out by a semi - structured interview. Results: It was found that the difficulties are care of a child in serious condition, his parents and the emotional involvement. Means of coping relate to prayer and distraction. As to their preparation, professionals refer as being unprepared to act in this area. Conclusion: We concluded that there is lack of preparation of professionals, although they take care of these children in a humanistic way  Keywords: Nurse; children; Cancer.


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Casacchia ◽  
R. Pollice ◽  
R. Roncone

The authors describe their experience working and living in L'Aquila, where at 3.32 a.m., early in the morning of 6 April 2009, a 6.3 Richter magnitude earthquake caused serious damages to this 13th century town (with a population of 72 000 and a health district of 103 788), in the mountainous Abruzzo region and to several medieval hill villages in the surrounding areas: 309 residents were killed, over 1600 were injured, 66 000 residents were displaced, and, the centre of L'Aquila, the main historical and artistic centre of Abruzzo, was totally destroyed.Here is described the work done at the Psychiatric Unit of the General Hospital of L'Aquila and in the University. The Authors report the incidence rate of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) in help-seekers (full ASD 4.9%, and partial ASD 39.3%), and of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found in different samples of population (range 12–37.5). The authors express their consideration about which real-world variables can reflect the population distress and the naturalistic process of recovery in such natural disasters. After the earthquake they hypothesize that a lot of residents had found their way to recover through ‘writing, telling the story’, by analogy with what narrative medicine asserts, thus estimating the positive effect of ‘emotional disclosure’ on health. A large number of materials (books, web-blogs, videos) were produced by residents and a database of memories was implemented. The suffering and struggle to recover in the aftermaths of a traumatic experience often yields remarkable transformations and positive growth. From this point of view, the authors underline the increased virtual relationships of residents through Facebook, to cope with the loss of previous social relationships, to get information about recreational opportunities, or to get organized for public events, despite their displacement. Many collective demonstrations were organized and showed the will to actively participate to the processes of reconstruction of the civil and scientific life of the town. The authors stress the need to prevent natural disasters, instead of preventing mental disorders following natural disasters, reporting that seven Italian seismologists and scientists are on trial for manslaughter, accused to have failed to evaluate the true risks of L'Aquila earthquake.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089801012110390
Author(s):  
Rebecca H. Lehto ◽  
Megan Miller ◽  
Jessica Sender

Treatments for addressing psychiatric mental health issues in vulnerable patients with cancer are established. Yet, many patients persist with unrelenting psychological difficulties despite intervention. There is growing interest in the role of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for managing treatment-resistant mental health challenges in patients with cancer. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound derived from certain mushroom species that can induce entheogenic experiences or an altered state of consciousness. Reed's Self-Transcendence Theory provides a holistic lens to examine existential concerns and mental health in individuals who perceive their illness as potentially life threatening, such as those with cancer. This scoping literature review used Arksey and O’Malley's template to evaluate research examining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer. Eight articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria (four quantitative, two mixed methods, and two qualitative). Review findings indicated that the majority of patient experiences were positive, centering on themes of death acceptance, reflection, and broadened spirituality. Although psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is in early stages of clinical testing, it thus shows promise for carefully screened patients with cancer who have persistent existential suffering. It will be critical for investigators to tailor this emerging intervention to select patients and for clinicians to be engaged in assessment of outcomes and efficacy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S672-S672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.S. Uzar Ozcetin ◽  
D. Hicdurmaz

IntroductionEach individual experience cancer in a different way. While some perceive cancer as a complex and traumatic experience by developing some psychosocial and additional physical problems, others overcome cancer-related difficulties by gaining benefits such as post-traumatic growth (PTG) owing to their resilience. Resilience and PTG that are very valuable concepts in human life to adapt positively to cancer process have relations which need to be better understood.ObjectivesWe aimed to provide a better understanding of relations between resilience and PTG and relations of these two concepts with cancer experience.MethodsLiterature review.ResultsSuccessful adjustment to life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, require resilience. On the other hand, resilience provides a barrier toward stressors by helping improvement of PTG and so, is an antecedent factor of PTG. PTG ensures a deeper perspective and strength to people after traumatic events. Hence, individuals having higher levels of PTG feel powerful enough to handle the problems in their life and can easily adapt to cancer process by focusing on the positive outcomes of trauma, having improved coping mechanisms and an improved psychological well-being.ConclusionsResilience and PTG have strong mutual relations and this phenomenon should be considered for a qualified cancer care.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Yu. S. Korneva ◽  
Yа. А. Rudenko

The article analyzes the autopsy reports of cancer patients who died in the Clinical Emergency Medicine Clinical Hospital in Smolensk in order to study the complications? Related to oncologycal disease in these patients. The complications of oncological diseases that doctors have to deal with in emergency hospitals and their specific manifestations depending on the location of the tumor are also analyzed.


Author(s):  
Asli Aykac ◽  
Rasime Kalkan

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder and develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences. The risk factors of PTSD included genetic factors; alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis; neurotrophic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and catecholaminergic systems; and a variety of environmental factors, such as war, accident, natural disaster, pandemic, physical, or sexual abuse, that cause stress or trauma in individuals. To be able to understand the molecular background of PTSD, rodent animal models are widely used by researchers. When looking for a solution for PTSD, it is important to consider preexisting genetic risk factors and physiological, molecular, and biochemical processes caused by trauma that may cause susceptibility to this disorder. In studies, it is reported that epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in the biological response affected by environmental factors, as well as the task of programming cell identity. In this article, we provided an overview of the role of epigenetic modifications in understanding the biology of PTSD. We also summarized the data from animal studies and their importance during the investigation of PTSD. This study shed light on the epigenetic background of stress and PTSD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanchao Zheng ◽  
Melanie E. Garrett ◽  
Delin Sun ◽  
Emily K. Clarke-Rubright ◽  
Courtney C. Haswell ◽  
...  

AbstractThe volume of subcortical structures represents a reliable, quantitative, and objective phenotype that captures genetic effects, environmental effects such as trauma, and disease effects such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma and PTSD represent potent exposures that may interact with genetic markers to influence brain structure and function. Genetic variants, associated with subcortical volumes in two large normative discovery samples, were used to compute polygenic scores (PGS) for the volume of seven subcortical structures. These were applied to a target sample enriched for childhood trauma and PTSD. Subcortical volume PGS from the discovery sample were strongly associated in our trauma/PTSD enriched sample (n = 7580) with respective subcortical volumes of the hippocampus (p = 1.10 × 10−20), thalamus (p = 7.46 × 10−10), caudate (p = 1.97 × 10−18), putamen (p = 1.7 × 10−12), and nucleus accumbens (p = 1.99 × 10−7). We found a significant association between the hippocampal volume PGS and hippocampal volume in control subjects from our sample, but was absent in individuals with PTSD (GxE; (beta = −0.10, p = 0.027)). This significant GxE (PGS × PTSD) relationship persisted (p < 1 × 10−19) in four out of five threshold peaks (0.024, 0.133, 0.487, 0.730, and 0.889) used to calculate hippocampal volume PGSs. We detected similar GxE (G × ChildTrauma) relationships in the amygdala for exposure to childhood trauma (rs4702973; p = 2.16 × 10−7) or PTSD (rs10861272; p = 1.78 × 10−6) in the CHST11 gene. The hippocampus and amygdala are pivotal brain structures in mediating PTSD symptomatology. Trauma exposure and PTSD modulate the effect of polygenic markers on hippocampal volume (GxE) and the amygdala volume PGS is associated with PTSD risk, which supports the role of amygdala volume as a risk factor for PTSD.


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