BMJ supportive & palliative care
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Jun 2018
'Song of Life': music therapy in terminally ill patients with cancer.
Music therapy (MT) holds a promising potential to meet emotional and existential needs in palliative care patients. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptance and potential effectiveness of a novel MT intervention to improve life closure and spiritual well-being of terminally ill patients with cancer receiving palliative care. ⋯ 'SOL' proved to be a feasible and highly accepted intervention for patients approaching the end of their lives. Further consideration with regard to the procedures and outcomes is necessary before implementation of a randomised trial.
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Jun 2018
Communication about the impending death of patients with cancer to the family: a nationwide survey.
Explanation about the impending death of imminently dying patients with cancer is important for their families. However, little is known about how clinicians explain impending death and how families perceive the explanation. We aimed to clarify bereaved families' perception of the need for improvements in the explanation about impending death and to explore the factors contributing to the need. ⋯ Nearly a third of the bereaved families perceived some need to improve the explanation about impending death. To better help patients/families prepare for their end-of-life, clinicians should recognise and explain various impending death signs; find a balance between detailed explanation and excessive warning and address how long they could talk in the remaining time.