Exploring patients' interest in complementary therapies in a specialist palliative care unit.

Int J Palliat Nurs

Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Curraheen, Co Cork, Ireland.

Published: March 2019

Background:: The use of complementary therapy has become increasingly integrated into specialist palliative care units (SPCUs).

Objective:: To evaluate patients' interest in and experience of complementary therapies during their inpatient stay in a SPCU.

Method:: All 179 patients admitted to the SPCU over a 3-month period were assessed on admission. Those deemed suitable to participate by the researcher/clinical nurse specialist were invited to participate in this research. A standardised paper questionnaire was completed by the participating patients.

Results:: 71 patients (40%) completed the study. Those excluded had cognitive impairment, fatigue, communication difficulties or were imminently dying. Some declined to participate. A variety of age groups and diagnoses were represented. Only 27% of participants had a previous experience of using complementary therapies in the past 12 months. The majority (52%) were 'very interested' in receiving complementary therapy, while 13% reported having 'no interest'. Massage and reflexology were identified as the most popular forms of complementary therapy. The primary anticipated benefits associated with complementary therapy were relaxation and improvement in general wellbeing.

Conclusion:: This research has indicated a high level of interest in complementary therapies in the study population, across a wide age range regardless of diagnosis or level of disease.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2019.25.3.108DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

complementary therapies
16
complementary therapy
16
patients' interest
8
complementary
8
interest complementary
8
specialist palliative
8
palliative care
8
experience complementary
8
exploring patients'
4
therapies
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!