LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Studies on mind-body approaches in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are rare. We performed a pilot study with follow-up until one year to explore changes in pain, quality of life (QoL), stress, and negative emotions in patients with advanced PDAC, who regularly practiced a standardized form of spiritual meditation in addition to standard medical care. METHODS At baseline and every two months for a maximum of one year, global pain, QoL (global, SEIQoL, FACT-G), spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp), perceived stress (PSQ-20), anxiety and depression (HADS), and diurnal cortisol secretion (cortisol slope) were assessed. Changes from baseline were explored by pairwise comparisons of available cases. RESULTS 20 participants (11 women, 62 ± 9.9 SD years) participated in the study, of whom 9 patients survived the study year. Pairwise comparisons revealed transient improvements of pain after 4 and 6 months (both p-values < .05), of global QoL after 4, 6, 8, 10 months (all p-values < .05), of SeiQoL scores after 4 months (p < .05), of FACT-G scores after 6 months (p < .05), and of FACIT-Sp scores after 2 and 6 months (both p-values < .05). Furthermore, overall stress levels (PSQ-20) decreased from baseline to 2, 6, and 8 months (all p-values < .05), and anxiety declined from baseline to 6 months (p < .05). Depression scores and the cortisol slope did not change. CONCLUSION This pilot study demonstrated the acceptability and feasibility of studies on spiritual meditation in patients with advanced PDAC. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to study the effects of spiritual meditation and other mind-body interventions on pain, quality of life, and emotional well-being in this patient population.