Journal of pain and symptom management
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
ReviewEffectiveness of music therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on people in palliative care with end-of-life needs: A systematic review.
Music therapy, aromatherapy and massage therapy are widely used in palliative care in patients near end-of-life with the aim to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life (QoL). Recent research shows an increase in popularity and use of complementary and integrative medicine however a more thorough evidence base about their usefulness is required. ⋯ Main results found that music and massage therapy had the most potential benefits on a range of outcome parameters, including pain and QoL. Future studies may consider using more qualitative and/or mixed methods to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of treatment.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Should an acute palliative care unit be mandatory for cancer centers and tertiary care hospitals?
Acute palliative care units have been developing in the last years and their clinical activity and characteristics have been described, despite large differences in different countries. One controversial topic is whether such units should be mandatory as standard in comprehensive cancer centers or even in tertiary hospitals. ⋯ Interestingly, all three experts arrived at similar conclusions. They underscored the importance of an acute palliative care unit, which provides a different pattern of activities in comparison with typical inpatient hospices, generally caring for patients who have a limited expected survival.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Improving hospital palliative care between COVID-19 waves: A retrospective cohort study.
A specialist palliative care service in an acute hospital characterized care patterns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were delayed referrals for minoritized ethnic groups. COVID-19 treatments (dexamethasone, anticoagulation, remdesivir) alongside service changes were introduced in the second wave. ⋯ Our findings have the potential to inform strategies that improve palliative care response and equity beyond COVID-19, and in future pandemics or crises.