Existential Distress in Advanced Cancer: Comparing a Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ORPHYS) to Treatment as Usual (TAU)

The psychological challenges faced by patients with incurable cancer and their caregivers include an uncertain future, fear of dying and uncontrollable suffering, grief, and loneliness. In a significant subgroup, this challenge is associated with significant fear and existential distress. This distress can manifest itself, for example, in the form of demoralization, a state of despair and hopelessness in which the possibilities for coping seem exhausted. Although open discussions about fears at the end of life are becoming increasingly important, little is known about how patients with high existential distress can best be supported to promote quality of life. The aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the newly developed individual psychotherapy ORPHYS (ShORt-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in serious PHYSical illness) in reducing existential distress. To this end, a randomly selected half of the participants who receive ORPHYS treatment will be compared with a second group who receive the standard routine psycho-oncological treatment TAU (Treatment As Usual). The level of distress caused by demoralization will be used for the comparison. A total of 160 patients with advanced cancer will be included in the study. Due to improved treatment options, life expectancy for advanced cancer has increased significantly. This means that patients and their families must deal with the existential tension between uncertainty and a focus on life. The treatment is intended to contribute to providing the best possible support for patients who suffer from uncertainty and fears at the end of life.