About This Article
This is an AI-generated summary of a research paper. The original authors did not write or review this article. See full disclosure ↓
Overview
Spirituality and existential meaning constitute fundamental dimensions in palliative care contexts, directly influencing patients' confrontation with finitude and death-related distress. Total pain conceptualization extends beyond physical suffering to encompass psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Existential suffering and its effects on quality of life represent critical clinical concerns requiring systematic therapeutic intervention directed toward meaningful reinterpretation of suffering experiences and dignity preservation at end-of-life.
Methods and approach
A narrative literature review was conducted utilizing scientific databases to identify articles addressing spirituality, existential meaning, and existential suffering in palliative care contexts. The review synthesized findings regarding the manifestations of existential suffering, its impact on quality of life, and therapeutic strategies for its amelioration.
Results
Early identification of existential suffering combined with integrated biopsychosocial-spiritual approaches demonstrates efficacy in reducing total pain and strengthening therapeutic alliance. Active listening and multiprofessional assessment emerge as indispensable components of comprehensive palliative intervention. Existential and spiritual dimensions require explicit clinical attention within holistic care frameworks to address suffering beyond biomedical parameters.
Implications
Clinical integration of existential and spiritual assessment within multiprofessional palliative care teams is warranted to optimize comprehensive suffering alleviation. Therapeutic approaches emphasizing meaning-making and existential exploration constitute essential components of end-of-life care quality. Training in existential assessment and psychospiritual care techniques may enhance therapeutic capacity to address dimensions of suffering that exceed pharmacological and conventional interventions.
Disclosure
- Research title: Revisão narrativa acerca da espiritualidade e sentido de vida em cuidados paliativos
- Authors: Ana V. Dobbin, Davi R.A. Fischer, Fernanda P. M. Bittar, Maria Eduarda Peixoto Mendes, Lucas Rabelo Fernandes Leão
- Publication date: 2026-02-23
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.70164/jmbr.v3i1.1123
- OpenAlex record: View
- PDF: Download
- Image credit: Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash (Source • License)
- Disclosure: This post is an AI-generated summary of a research work. It was prepared by an editor. The original authors did not write or review this post.