• ChengHon Wai BenjaminHWBMedical Palliative Medicine (MPM) Unit, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. benchw@hkstar.com., Kwok Ying Chan, Yuen Kwan Judy Chung, Chun Wai Choi, Chun Hung Chan, Shuk Ching Cheng, Wan Hung Chan, Koon Sim Fung, Kar Yin Wong, Oi Man Iman Chan, and Ching Wah Man.
• Medical Palliative Medicine (MPM) Unit, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. benchw@hkstar.com.
• Ann Palliat Med. 2018 Jul 1; 7 (3): 320-331.

AbstractAlthough there is no cure for motor neurone disease (MND), the advent of supportive interventions including multidisciplinary care (MDC) has improved treatment interventions and enhanced quality of life (QOL) for MND patients and their carers. Our integrative review showed evidence-based MDC, respiratory management and disease-modifying therapy that have improved the outcomes of patients diagnosed with MND. Supportive approaches to nutritional maintenance and optimization of symptomatic treatments, including management of communication and neuropsychiatric issues, improve the QOL for MND patients. Notwithstanding improvement to care and QOL, survival benefit has become evident with the advent of a MDC framework, early treatment with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). In addition, weight maintenance remains critical, as weight loss is associated with more rapid disease progression. The endof- life phase is poorly defined in MND patients and treatment remains challenging, yet effective symptom control through palliative care (PC) is achievable and essential.

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