Nonpharmacological strategies for breathlessness
Breathlessness (aka dyspnea) is difficult to manage in palliative care. Researchers in the UK reviewed and ranked the most effective...
Is there benefit from acupuncture in palliative care?
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, compared acupuncture to nurse-led supportive care in patients with incurable cancer.
Spirituality as a guide to care in advanced cancer
Patients with advanced cancer frequently use CAM. Researchers at the University of Toronto, in Canada, examined the use of CAM...
Growth through caregiving
The conventional view of family caregivers highlights their burdens. Researchers from Singapore found that caregivers may also find “meaning and...
Starting palliative care earlier in lung cancer patients
Patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer have substantial symptoms and may receive aggressive care at the end of life. Researchers...
Effect of religious faith on decisions by doctor providing end-of-life care
Researchers at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, in the UK compared the relationship between religious faith...
Review of music therapy for end-of-life care
This Cochrane review examined the effects of music therapy on end-of-life care.
Discussing end-of-life issues with patients
Many people believe it “increases the patients’ emotional distress.” To the contrary, researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston...
Beneficial health effects of care giving
Medical News Today reports on this study in the journal, Psychological Science. Apparently, “older people who spent at least 14...
Advanced care planning: Accounting for changing perspectives
GeriPal is rethinking advanced care planning (ACP). Rather than focusing on making prespecified decisions, ACP should help patients and their...
What’s the difference between palliative and hospice care?
Gabriela Kaplan is an oncology clinical nurse specialist at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She specializes in...
Predicting doctors who refer to palliative care
Researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, in West Haven tell us, “Outpatient palliative care can provide significant benefits to...
Acupuncture/ pressureAnxiety (Panic)/DepressionArt, Music, DanceCognitive-Behavioral TherapyCOPDMassagePalliative/End of LifePhysiotherapyTENS/FNS/VNS
CAM options to treat pain at the end of life
Of the many symptoms experienced by those at the end of life, pain is one of the most common, feared,...
Anxiety (Panic)/DepressionCancerFatigueMassageNausea/VomitingPainPalliative/End of LifeProf. ErnstStress Management
Massage therapy for cancer palliative care
 Massage is a popular adjunct to cancer palliation. And, Prof. Ernst says “the evidence is encouraging.
Michigan voters say OK to medical marijuana
Another result from Tuesday’s US election — 63% of voters in Michigan approved of letting people who are ill grow...
Have you discovered Pallimed.org?
 The authors review current palliative medicine, hospice, and end-of-life research.
Music to manage anxiety during palliative care
 Researchers from the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in Melbourne, Australia studied the effectiveness of a single music therapy session in...
Comparing benefits of massage vs touch in cancer patients
 Small studies suggest that massage therapy may relieve pain and other symptoms. Here are results from a large study.
Learning to apply spirituality to end-of-life care
Two white physicians simply sat for a time and respectfully and attentively conversed about end-of-life care with 23 terminally ill...
CAM in hospice care
If the state of Washington is any indication, CAM therapies play a significant role in hospice care. Survey results presented...