According to a study by researchers at Rutgers University, palliative care is not likely to mitigate psychological distress.
The findings can be read in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
In a meta-analysis of 38 randomized clinical trials of palliative care treatments, researchers found no statistically meaningful improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress. This research combined the findings of 38 previously published studies to examine the average impact of the interventions on psychological distress.
“We searched PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, and CINAHL for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of palliative care interventions. RCTs were included if they enrolled adults with life-limiting illnesses or their caregivers, reported data on psychological distress at 3 months after study intake, and if authors had described the intervention as palliative care,” the study reads.
What researchers determined: “We identified 38 RCTs meeting our inclusion criteria. Psychological distress is not likely to be reduced in the context of a typical palliative care intervention. The systemic exclusion of patients with common mental health conditions in more than 1/3 of the studies raises ethical questions about the goals of palliative care RCTS and could perpetuate inequalities.”
