PALLIATIVE CARE

This study tested a special insole designed to relieve constipation in people receiving palliative care. 139 participants either walked with the insole or without it for 20 minutes daily over four weeks. The goal was to see if the insole, based on reflexology, could improve bowel…

This study tested whether therapeutic touch—a gentle, non-invasive technique—could improve sleep and reduce fatigue in people with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Sixty-one patients took part, with half receiving 20 minutes of therapeutic touch daily for five days, whi…

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 hospitalized adults took part; half listened to music through headphones, while the other half rested in bed. Researchers m…

This study tested whether personalized music therapy sessions can help cancer patients in palliative care feel less anxious, depressed, and distressed, and improve their quality of life. 80 patients participated, and researchers measured changes in mood and well-being over time. …

This study tested a computer tool called MuSt-PC that helps doctors and nurses make better care decisions for adults with serious illnesses like cancer or heart failure. The goal was to see if patients could complete the required surveys and if the tool was helpful. 44 patients w…

This study tested a short-term talk therapy (psychodynamic psychotherapy) for 24 adults with advanced solid tumors and high emotional distress. The goal was to see if the therapy is safe, acceptable, and feasible. Researchers measured side effects, drop-out rates, and how well th…

This study tested whether two people—a hospice patient and their caregiver—could use virtual reality (VR) together to experience calming nature scenes. The goal was to see if this shared experience could help reduce pain, anxiety, and fear of death. 26 English-speaking hospice pa…

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

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

This study tested a program that helps seriously ill heart failure patients receive specialized care at home instead of in the hospital. Doctors were encouraged to refer eligible patients to a home-based palliative care service. The goal was to see if this approach reduces hospit…

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 study looked at whether a simple frailty score (Rockwood Frailty Index) can predict how long older adults might live after being treated at home instead of in a hospital. Researchers followed 2,610 patients aged 65 and older who were in a Hospital-at-Home program. They found…

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

This study looked at the challenges faced by patients with incurable cancer and their caregivers when planning to return home for end-of-life care. Researchers measured the burden felt by both the patient and their main caregiver using surveys. The goal was to find factors that h…

This study tested whether giving a booklet-question list to people with advanced cancer or their families helps them ask more questions during a palliative care visit. About 121 participants were involved. The goal was to see if the booklet improves communication about prognosis …

This study tested a communication tool called "Best Case/Worst Case" to help older adults with end-stage kidney disease and their doctors talk about treatment options, including palliative care. Over 400 patients from ten kidney clinics took part, with some doctors trained to use…

This study tested whether showing videos about advance care planning helps elderly patients (65+) and those with dementia make better decisions about their medical care. Over 11,000 hospitalized patients and 600 caregivers took part at two major hospitals. The goal was to see if …

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…