Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialAcceptance and commitment therapy for patient fatigue interference and caregiver burden in advanced gastrointestinal cancer: Results of a pilot randomized trial.
Fatigue often interferes with functioning in patients with advanced cancer, resulting in increased family caregiver burden. Acceptance and commitment therapy, a promising intervention for cancer-related suffering, has rarely been applied to dyads coping with advanced cancer. ⋯ Acceptance and commitment therapy showed strong feasibility, acceptability, and promise and warrants further testing.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2022
Meta AnalysisThe utility of the surprise question: A useful tool for identifying patients nearing the last phase of life? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The surprise question is widely used to identify patients nearing the last phase of life. Potential differences in accuracy between timeframe, patient subgroups and type of healthcare professionals answering the surprise question have been suggested. Recent studies might give new insights. ⋯ We found overall reasonable test characteristics for the surprise question. Additionally, this study showed notable differences in performance within patient subgroups. However, we did not find an indication of notable differences between timeframe and healthcare professionals.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2022
Meta AnalysisHow effective is virtual reality technology in palliative care? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The efficacy of virtual reality for people living with a terminal illness is unclear. ⋯ Virtual reality in palliative care is feasible and acceptable. However, limited sample sizes and very low-quality studies mean that the efficacy of virtual reality needs further research.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of a theory-based advance care planning intervention for nursing homes: A cluster randomized controlled trial.
Uptake of advance care planning in routine nursing home care is low. Through extensive literature review, theoretical development, and stakeholder involvement, we developed the ACP+ intervention. ⋯ The ACP+ intervention for nursing homes improved care staff's self-efficacy but not their knowledge concerning advance care planning. Considering the comprehensive and multi-component approach used, these effects were smaller than expected. Reasons for this may be related to the chosen follow-up period, outcomes and measurements, or to the intervention itself and its implementation.