PALLIATIVE CARE

This study looked at whether a gentle, non-invasive therapy called therapeutic touch can improve sleep and reduce fatigue in people with advanced cancer who are receiving palliative care. Sixty-one patients took part, with one group receiving 20 minutes of therapeutic touch daily…

This study tested whether a shared virtual reality (VR) nature experience could help hospice patients and their caregivers feel better. 26 patient-caregiver pairs tried a synchronized VR program with calming nature scenes. Researchers measured quality of life, fear of death, pain…

This study tested a special insole designed to relieve constipation in 139 adults receiving palliative care. Participants walked for 20 minutes daily for four weeks, either with or without the insole. Researchers tracked bowel habits and comfort levels to see if the reflexology-b…

This study tested a problem-solving therapy program for family caregivers of people with cancer who were receiving palliative care. Over 500 caregivers took part, and researchers measured changes in anxiety and depression symptoms. The goal was to see if learning practical proble…

This pilot study tested a tool called MuSt-PC that helps doctors and nurses make better decisions for adults with serious illnesses who are expected to live less than a year. The goal was to see if patients could complete the study assessments and if the tool helped manage multip…

This study tested a program that encourages doctors to offer specialized home-based palliative care to people with serious heart failure. The goal was to see if this approach reduces time spent in the hospital and lowers healthcare costs. Over 700 patients took part, and the prog…

This study looked at whether listening to relaxing Turkish music for 30 minutes could help cancer patients in palliative care feel less pain and anxiety. 32 patients took part, with half listening to music and the other half resting quietly. The results showed that music helped l…

This study tested whether sodium oxybate works better than midazolam for providing comfort sedation to people in the final days of life. It involved 22 patients in a palliative care unit who were suffering despite the best available treatments. The goal was to see which drug more…

This study tested a short-term psychodynamic therapy for 24 adults with advanced solid tumors and high psychological distress. The goal was to see if the therapy was safe, acceptable, and feasible, not to cure the cancer. Results focused on side effects, drop-out rates, and patie…

This study tested whether giving a booklet with suggested questions helps cancer patients or their families ask more during palliative care visits. 121 adults with metastatic cancer and limited life expectancy took part. The goal was to see if the booklet encourages people to ask…

This study looked at whether a simple frailty score (the Rockwood Frailty Index) can predict the chance of dying within one year for older adults (65+) who receive hospital-level care at home. Researchers followed 2,610 patients and measured how long they lived after being discha…

This study translated and tested a scale called the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) for use with Turkish-speaking palliative care patients who cannot describe their breathing difficulty. Researchers observed 100 adults with conditions like lung cancer or heart failu…

This study tested a training program for caregivers of stroke patients who have trouble swallowing. 84 caregivers were split into two groups: one received special training, the other did not. Researchers measured caregiver burden, quality of life, patient nutrition, and caregiver…

This study tested a special training program for oncology nurses in Oman to improve how they care for patients at the end of life. 189 nurses took part, with some receiving the training and others continuing their usual work. The program aimed to increase nurses' knowledge, impro…

This study tested whether showing videos to hospitalized patients aged 65 and older, or those with Alzheimer's or related dementias, helps them and their families plan future medical care. Over 11,000 patients and 600 caregivers took part at two hospitals. The goal was to see if …

This study tested a communication tool called 'Best Case/Worst Case' to help older adults with advanced kidney disease talk with their doctors about treatment choices. About 320 patients and their doctors took part, with some doctors trained to use the tool and others not. The go…

This study looked at 139 patients with incurable cancer and their main caregivers to understand the emotional and practical burdens when planning a return home for end-of-life care. Researchers used surveys to measure how both patients and caregivers perceived the caregiver's bur…