Symptom Control In Palliative Care Research Articles

Cybernetic Principles in Psychophysiology: Their Significance and Conclusions for Palliative Care.

Palliative care is dedicated to terminally ill patients with advanced disease, regardless of diagnosis, under the overarching premise of optimizing quality of life. This narrative review examines the extent to which principles of cybernetics and psychophysiology underlie this approach. Psychophysiology researches the physiological equivalents of psychological states and traits such as activation and individual reactivity, the interoception and the personal characteristics. Cybernetics specifies these principles, which are possible by understanding terms such as "psychophysiology" or "cybernetics" or "self-organization/autopoiesis". The meaning of these terms for palliative care can also be elucidated in relation to the terms "biofeedback", "consciousness", "pain", and "anxiety". The common themes of cybernetics and psychophysiology are environment, subjectivity, personality characteristics, the difference between time scale separation in cybernetic systems, and real-time procedures in environment and rhythm. These lead to special therapies based on psychophysiology, such as consciousness training. The concepts of quality of life, causality, the biopsychosocial model, therapy, and autonomy are examined as palliative care concepts. The equivalents can be described from the perspective of cybernetics. For some palliative care-related terms, cybernetic thinking is already present (quality of life, autonomy, symptom control), while for others, it is not (biopsychosocial). Cybernetic terms (complexity, stability, identity, rhythm) are still used to a lesser extent in palliative care. Terms like genetic basis are common in cybernetics and psychophysiology to explain the identity of the subject in transition. Identity, on the other hand, is the basis of the concept of dignity in palliative care. Psychophysiology investigates disturbances like pain and psychological illnesses, which are also present in palliative care. Psychophysiology, cybernetics, and palliative care have subjectivity and resources in common. Therapies based on cybernetic principles of psychophysiology can also be used for symptom control in palliative care in the oncology setting.

A model of intended and ideal prescribing and medication use in symptom control in palliative care: an international scoping review

Abstract Introduction UK health policy documents are committed to improving personalised palliative care for people of all ages, prioritising access to coordinated care and health inequity. The UK Health and Care Act 2022 has stated it is a statutory requirement for Integrated Care Boards to commission palliative and end of life care services. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life of patients and families who are facing problems associated with life-limiting illness, and often involves medication for symptom control. Medication has been reported in 19% of NHS serious incident reports involving palliative patients, mostly occurring in patient homes, with half when specialists did not provide care.1 Aim To document a model of existing evidence illustrating intended processes when palliative medications are prescribed for symptom control and used by adults at home, in hospital and hospice settings. Methods We performed a scoping review using JBI methodology.2 Population (P): (i) adults in the last phase of life, (ii) informal carers supporting an adult as described above, (iii) healthcare professionals providing palliative care for symptom control. Concept (C): multistep processes for medication use for symptom control in palliative care. Context (C): care settings where palliative care may be anticipated, planned or happen. A systematic search were undertaken in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, plus Google scholar and Google images. There were no date limits; searches were confined to English language. Published and unpublished literature meeting the PCC framework were included. Screening and extraction of data were performed by two independent reviewers (SAF and SY). Studies were categorised inductively and results collated descriptively. Ethical approval was obtained from the NHS HRA and HCRW (ref: 21/LO/0459). Results 19,753 titles and abstracts were screened; 929 underwent full text review; 308 peer-reviewed articles and grey literature documents were retained to build the intended model. The majority of these papers (212; 69%) provided simple process steps involving expertise/judgement, supply chain/access, administration, prescribing/deprescribing, rationalisation, repurposing. The remaining 96 papers warranted richer thematic analysis. Most studies took place in the UK, Australia or USA in home/community settings. Analysis illuminated detail about ‘hidden work’ (participants’ actions in medication management), ‘hot spots’ (problematic areas e.g. out-of-hours care and the reliance on carers) and ‘cold spots’ (areas with less attention such as whose responsibility for keeping carers informed of changes and what is adequate support for safe medicines use at home). Discussion/Conclusion There is a growing interest in how best to work together across boundaries to enable getting the right medication to the right person at the right time and place. This scoping review documents the existing evidence of intended processes and a model of ideal prescribing and medication use in symptom control in palliative care. This study is limited to adult palliative care services only. A strength of the study is the use of JBI methodology. Using ethnographic methods and the conceptual tools of Activity Theory, we will refine this intended model with a study of what happens in practice3 to build a theoretically-informed, empirically-evidenced model of medication management across palliative care contexts.

Symptom control in palliative care (excluding pain therapy)

In the palliative phase of disease, patients often suffer from a variety of distressing symptoms. Often, treatment is difficult because several problems exist at the same time and the necessary medications can cause side effects that require treatment. This article addresses important symptoms - other than pain - and provides treatment recommendations based on current literature.

Prescribing and medication use for symptom control in palliative care: stakeholder engagement within an activity theory study

Abstract Introduction People with palliative care needs often use prescription medication to achieve symptom control. Prescribing and medication use are complex, multi-step processes influenced by prescribers, patients, carers, and contexts. They are shaped by historically established divisions of labour and normative rules. However, in the care of palliative patients, approximately 20% of NHS serious incident reports involve prescription medications with causes and contributing factors poorly understood (1). Understanding the mismatches between what is intended to happen and what is experienced in practice is key to improving safety and confidence in palliative care. Phase one of this study focuses on how the processes of prescribing and medication use are intended to happen, and comprises stakeholder engagement (presented here) and a scoping review. Aim To develop a model of intended processes of prescribing and medication use for symptom control in palliative care across the contexts of home, hospital, and hospice. Methods Stakeholder engagement was undertaken with a purposive sample of participants who had an interest in, or direct experience of, palliative medications. Invitations to participate were sent to professional networks and a patient and public involvement group. Informal conversations with a topic guide including known steps in the processes of prescribing and medication use were held either via video-call (recorded with permission) or by email. Conversations were examined for content relating to steps in the processes, and for themes that ran across multiple steps. An iterative cycle of listening, identifying steps, theme attribution and development of an intended processes model was undertaken with each recording. Results Twenty video and one email conversations were conducted with 7 family carers, 4 pharmacists/pharmacy researchers, 4 specialist palliative care professionals, 3 non-clinical researchers and 3 general practitioners. Different steps in the intended processes of prescribing and medication use at home and in hospital were identified. Themes of decision-making, prescribing, monitoring/supply, use/administration, and stopping/disposal were all represented. Further themes of deprescribing, anticipatory medicines, and contexts of practice - including out-of-hours care - were all raised. The processes model that resulted was not linear and incorporated complex feedback loops that facilitated ‘tinkering’, safe-to-fail experiments, and negotiations balancing ‘gut feeling’ with protocols and patients’ wishes. Conclusion Engaging with carer and professional stakeholders as a preliminary step in our study provided opportunity for clarification of key concepts, exploration of the nature and diversity of experiences, and identification of knowledge gaps. Whilst our engagement work may have been limited with the inclusion of only one nursing representative and little discussion of the hospice context, these aspects together with the content and themes identified will inform the design of our scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. Data from the stakeholder engagement and the scoping review will be combined to finalise a model of intended processes in prescribing and medication use in symptom control in palliative care. Phase two of this study is a focussed ethnography to develop an experienced processes model. Synthesising the intended (phase one) and experienced (phase two) processes models using activity theory (2) will lead to when, how, and why processes in prescribing and medication use are misaligned and to ways in which systems can be improved to support patients and their families. References (1) Yardley I, Yardley S, Williams H, Carson-Stevens A, Donaldson LJ. Patient safety in palliative care: A mixed-methods study of reports to a national database of serious incidents. Palliat Med. 2018;32(8):1353–62. (2) Engeström Y, Davydov V, Toulmin S, Lektorsky V, Tolman C, Cole M, et al. Theoretical Issues. In: Engeström Y, Miettinen R, Punämaki R-L, editors. Perspectives on Activity Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1999. p. 1–146.

Symptom Control at the End of Life

Symptom Control at the End of Life Abstract. Patients with advanced disease suffer from multiple physical and psychological symptoms. These include pain, weakness, lack of energy, weight loss, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and depression. In the dying phase, death rattle, delirium and terminal agitation may be additional problems. Palliative care focusses on alleviating these symptoms, taking into account the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimension. Main principles of symptom control in palliative care are 1) considering differential diagnoses of the causes of the symptom to be able to treat potentially reversible causes, 2) using preventive measures and 3) symptomatic treatment - on its own or in combination with causal therapy. The following should be noted regarding pharmacological treatment: In case of permanent symptoms, the drugs have to be given at fixed times, in accordance with their duration of action, to achieve a constant blood level. In addition to this regular drug administration, prn medication should be prescribed, e. g., for pain, breathlessness, and nausea. If oral administration is not possible, drugs can be administered intravenously, subcutaneously or transdermally via patches. Non-pharmacological measures can be used additionally or primarily for symptom control. This paper presents important aspects of symptom control for pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and depression as well as for symptoms in the dying phase. It concludes by adding a few words on sedation in palliative care as a measure of last resort.

Acupuncture as a Treatment Within Integrative Health for Palliative Care: A Brief Narrative Review of Evidence and Recommendations.

Background: Acupuncture is one of the fastest developing evidence bases in Complementary Medicine and is one of the leading therapies included within integrative health care. This narrative review includes two separate parts: the first is about evaluation of the current evidence status in reviews on acupuncture and the second examines and gives examples of available recommendations on acupuncture in treatment guidelines from health care experts and public health organizations recommending acupuncture as a viable treatment in patients in palliative care. Methods: Electronic searches were performed in PubMed using the terms "acupuncture" + "palliative" and adding the term "safety" to find review articles documenting safety and evidence of effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of symptoms in palliative care patients. Treatment guidelines that recommend use of acupuncture for symptom control in palliative care were found by searching through a database currently under construction by the lead author. Results: Acupuncture shows emerging evidence for 17 indications in palliative care. Examples were found and presented of publications recommending acupuncture for treatment of symptoms for patients in palliative care from Government, public health, oncology, and medical expert sources. The most publications are in oncology, but other conditions were found and a number were found in pediatric care. Conclusions: While the evidence for use of acupuncture to treat symptoms in palliative care patients is relatively weak, the evidence base is growing. Experts worldwide are also increasingly recommending acupuncture as a treatment for symptoms in palliative care. Since acupuncture is a safe, nonpharmacological treatment but with small, clinically significant effects, these recommended uses appear as pragmatic efforts to bridge the gap of treatment options available to this patient group.

An Open-Label Pilot Study Testing the Feasibility of Assessing Total Symptom Burden in Trials of Cannabinoid Medications in Palliative Care.

Background: There is considerable interest in the use of cannabinoids for symptom control in palliative care, but there is little high-quality evidence to guide clinical practice.Objectives: Assess the feasibility of using global symptom burden measures to assess response to medicinal cannabis, to determine median tolerated doses of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and to document adverse events (AEs).Design: Prospective two-arm open-label pilot trial of escalating doses of CBD and THC oil.Setting/Subjects: Participants had advanced cancer and cancer-related symptoms in a palliative and supportive care service in an Australian cancer center.Measurements: The main outcome measures were the number of participants screened and randomized over the time frame, the number of participants completing days 14 and 28 and providing total symptom distress scores (TSDSs) (measured using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale), and the change from baseline of the TSDS at day 14.Results: Of the 21 participants enrolled (CBD, n = 16; THC, n = 5), 18 (86%) completed the primary outcome measure at day 14 and 8 completed at day 28. The median maximum tolerated doses were CBD, 300 mg/day (range 100–600 mg); THC, 10 mg/day (range 5–30 mg). Nine of 21 patients (43%) met the definition of response (≥6 point reduction in TSDS). Drowsiness was the most common AE.Conclusions: Trials of medicinal cannabis in advanced cancer patients undergoing palliative care are feasible. The doses of THC and CBD used in this study were generally well tolerated and the outcome measure of total symptom distress is promising as a measure of overall symptom benefit. Trial registration: ACTRN12618001205224.

Safe and effective prescribing for symptom management in palliative care.

Palliative and end of life care forms an important part of the role of any doctor in training, and an awareness of a structured approach to managing common symptoms and end of life care is essential. Common symptoms include pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and breathlessness. Anticipatory prescribing of the 4 A's (analgesic, anti-emetic, anxiolytic, and anti-secretory) is a proactive approach to ensure medication is available, if required, for common symptoms in the last hours to days of life, such as pain, upper airway secretions, anxiety, and agitation. Prescribing or medication errors in relation to symptom control in palliative care can relate to individual errors, poor communication, poor care coordination, equipment and care planning. There are some important key points relating to prescribing to consider, for example, using recognized conversions when changing between opioids and from the oral to syringe drivers route; that diamorphine and morphine are not equipotent; prescribing liquid opioids in milligrams not millilitres where there are multiple concentrations available; making the indication for steroids clear when used, as they are multiple possible indications (and also their intended duration, to avoid unintended longer term sequelae of steroid use); and avoiding the use of oxygen for symptomatic relief of breathlessness in the absence of hypoxia.

Availability and approval of cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain management and palliative/supportive care in Europe: A survey of the status in the chapters of the European Pain Federation.

There is considerable public and political interest in the use of cannabis products for medical purposes. The task force of the European Pain Federation (EFIC) conducted a survey with its national chapters representatives on the status of approval of all types of cannabis-based medicines, the covering of costs and the availability of a position paper of a national medical association on the use of medical cannabis for chronic pain and for symptom control in palliative/supportive care. Thirty-one out of 37 contacted councillors responded. Plant-derived tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray is approved for spasticity in multiple sclerosis refractory to conventional treatment in 21 EFIC chapters. Plant-derived THC (dronabinol) is approved for some palliative care conditions in four EFIC chapters. Synthetic THC analogue (nabilone) is approved for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting refractory to conventional treatment in four EFIC chapters'. Eight EFIC chapters' countries have an exceptional and six chapters an expanded access programme for medical cannabis. German and Israeli pain societies recommend the use of cannabis-based medicines as third-line drug therapies for chronic pain within a multicomponent approach. Conversely, the German medical association and a team of finish experts and officials do not recommend the prescription of medical cannabis due to the lack of high-quality evidence of efficacy and the potential harms. There are marked differences between the countries represented in EFIC in the approval and availability of cannabis-based products for medical use. EFIC countries are encouraged to collaborate with the European Medicines Agency to publish a common document on cannabis-based medicines. There are striking differences between European countries in the availability of plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids and of medical cannabis for pain management and for symptom control in palliative care and in the covering of costs by health insurance companies or state social security systems.

Palliative Care in the Delivery Room

Palliative care in the delivery room is a multiprofessional challenge directed to the dying newborn and the parents as well as to the care-givers. Clinical experience shows that many aspects regarding this unique palliative care situation are not well known and cause relevant emotional distress to the health care providers. In this article basic background information of palliative care of newborns in the delivery room are presented. Furthermore, recommendations are given focusing on 2 main aspects: 1. non-pharmacological and pharmacological ways of symptom control in palliative care of dying newborns and 2. meeting the individual psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of the parents.

Tratamiento y cuidados de enfermería en el estreñimiento del paciente paliativo

Objective To conduct a literature review on the management of constipation using a performance algorithm in caring for terminally ill patients with constipation. Material and methods A systematic review UpToDate database, PubMed, MD Consult and Cochrane, using as keywords: constipation, constipation palliative care and palliative care management. Inclusion criteria Articles published until November 2010 in Spanish or in English, referring to constipation in adults, including opioid-induced constipation. Guidelines for symptom control in palliative care and manuals fundamental in routine clinical practice. Exclusion criteria Publications other than English or Spanish, general articles, constipation, in paediatric, obstetrics and surgical patients and rare disease cases. Results We analysed 12 articles and 2 publications. The course of action should start from an accurate assessment of constipation (frequency and consistency of stools, change in bowel habits, the presence of discomfort or pain with bowel movements, the feeling of complete evacuation and assessment of environmental factors). General preventive measures should always be established. Intestinal obstruction should be ruled out beforehand. If this is ruled out, specific treatment should be established based on the digital rectal examination. Conclusion After performing this literature review we have seen that the mechanism of action must be taken into account before recommending any type of laxative. It must be made clear that rectal measures should never be the first choice. We believe that it is very useful to have an algorithm that easily includes recommendations for the assessment, prevention and treatment of constipation, and may be a useful tool for daily clinical practice.

Pain and symptom control in palliative care: new ways to think about old drugs

Pain and symptom control in palliative care: new ways to think about old drugs

Gastrointestinal symptom control in palliative care (part 2)

Die Palliativmedizin gewinnt in Deutschland aus gesellschaftlichen, medizinischen und okonomischen Grunden zunehmend an Bedeutung. Etwa 80% aller palliativmedizinischen Patienten leiden unter gastrointestinalen Symptomen, die zu teilweise extremer Beeintrachtung fuhren konnen. In einem zweiteiligen Beitrag soll eine Ubersicht uber die Moglichkeiten der Symptomenkontrolle, insbesondere der medikamentosen Kontrolle im hausarztlichen bzw. ambulanten Bereich gegeben werden. Auch im zweiten Teil ist es unser Anliegen aufzuzeigen, wie Schwerkranken in der Endphase eine Betreuung im hauslichen Umfeld ermoglicht werden kann. Im ersten Teil ging es um Beschwerden der Mundhohle sowie Ubelkeit und Erbrechen. In diesem Teil sollen Obstipation, Diarrho, Aszites, Ikterus und die gastrointestinale Obstruktion behandelt werden.

Neuropsychiatric complications of commonly used palliative care drugs

For those facing progressive life limiting disease, symptoms across a range of systems can be problematic. Clinicians may find themselves prescribing from several classes of drugs to alleviate distressing problems...

Attitudes toward euthanasia among Swedish medical students

Attitudes toward euthanasia differ between individuals and populations, and in many studies the medical profession is more reluctant than the general public. Our goal was to explore medical students' attitude toward euthanasia. A questionnaire containing open-ended questions was answered anonymously by 165 first- and fifth-year medical students. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis with no predetermined categories. The students' arguments opposing euthanasia were based on opinions of 1. euthanasia being morally wrong, 2. fear of possible negative effects on society, 3. euthanasia causing strain on physicians and 4. doubts about the true meaning of requests of euthanasia from patients. Arguments supporting euthanasia were based on 1. patients' autonomy and 2. the relief of suffering, which could be caused by severe illnesses, reduced integrity, hopelessness, social factors and old age. There are several contradictions in the students' arguments and the results indicate a possible need for education focusing on the possibility of symptom control in palliative care and patients' perceived quality of life. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 615—622

Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part III: Dyspnea and Delirium

Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part III: Dyspnea and Delirium

Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part I: Oncology as a Paradigmatic Example

Achieving the best quality of life for patients and their families when a disease becomes progressive and no longer remains responsive to curative therapy is the primary goal of palliative care. A comprehensive care plan focusing on control of physical symptoms as well as psychological, social, and spiritual issues then becomes paramount in that context. Symptom assessment and treatment are a principle part of palliative care. This paper is the first of three in a series addressing non-pain symptoms, which are frequently encountered in the palliative care populations. The most frequent non-pain symptoms are constipation, chronic nausea and vomiting, anorexia, dyspnea, fatigue, and delirium. As symptoms are subjective, their expression varies from patient to patient, depending on the individual patient's perception and on other factors such as psychosocial issues. While symptoms are addressed individually, patients frequently have multiple coexisting symptoms. Generally told, once the intensity of a symptom has been assessed, it is necessary to assess the symptom in the context of other symptoms such as pain, appetite, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Given that fact, adopting a multidimensional assessment allows for formulation of a more effective therapeutic strategy. More pertinently, this paper highlights the management of non-pain symptoms as an integral part of patient care and reviews the pathophysiologies, causes, assessment, and management of constipation, chronic nausea, and vomiting, each of which is common among the palliative care population.

Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part II: Cachexia/Anorexia and Fatigue

Cachexia may occur in up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer.1 This complex metabolic syndrome, characterized by profound loss of lean body mass, is the main cause of death in 20% of patients. Cachexia (involuntary loss of more than 10% of premorbid weight) is a marker for poor prognosis2 and is associated with anorexia (loss of appetite), asthenia and changes in body image. Cancer cachexia tends to occur in patients with solid tumors, in children, and in elderly patients. Cachexia is also common in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF)3–6 and other chronic illnesses, such as dementia, tuberculosis, malaria,7 chronic kidney disease, liver disease,8 and rheumatoid arthritis.

Evidence-based Symptom Control in Palliative Care

Evidence-based Symptom Control in Palliative Care

Evidence based symptom control in palliative care. Systematic reviews and validated clinical practice guidelines for 15 common problems in patients with life limiting disease

Evidence based symptom control in palliative care. Systematic reviews and validated clinical practice guidelines for 15 common problems in patients with life limiting disease