Unravelling the role of mind-body therapies in paediatric palliative care: A narrative review.
Luca Giacomelli, Simonetta Papa, Lara Vecchi, Anna Mercante, Franca Benini
Acta Paediatrica May 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17097 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Meditation mindfulness biofeedback hypnosis yoga tai chi qi gong imagery creative outlets art therapy |
| Topics | End-of-life distress |
| Keywords | Integrative medicine Mind–body therapies Paediatric palliative care Psychological burden Quality of life |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Mind-body therapies show some benefits for anxiety, stress, and quality of life in parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers in paediatric palliative care, but robust evidence does not fully support their efficacy, especially in patients. |
Abstract
Given the multifaceted nature of paediatric palliative care (PPC), integrative medicine and mind-body therapies, in particular, are increasingly used in this setting. However, to our knowledge, their use in PPC has never been specifically reviewed. Therefore, this work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the application and possible beneficial effects of mind-body therapies in the PPC setting. Papers about the use of meditation and mindfulness, biofeedback, hypnosis, yoga, tai chi and qi gong, imagery, creative outlets, and art therapy in PPC were identified by browsing PubMed and CINHAL. We found that the harmless nature of mind-body therapies has been extensively described, and available studies consistently show some benefits on the anxiety, stress, and quality of life of parents/caregivers and healthcare providers. However, well-grounded and robust evidence does not fully support the efficacy of mind-body therapies, especially in patients. Considering the peculiarity of the PPC setting, we suggest that mind-body therapies should be further considered and properly investigated through larger controlled studies and according to the different populations of PPC children, as well as for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on end-of-life distress, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Serious Illness. Palliative care clinicians and patients | 2022 | Review | |
| The Potential of Psychedelics for End of Life and Palliative Care. Patients with life-threatening diagnoses | 2022 | Review | |
| Psilocybin in Palliative Care: An Update. Palliative care patients | 2023 | Review | |
| Psychedelic medicines for end-of-life care: Pipeline clinical trial review 2022. People with terminal illnesses experiencing depression, anxiety, or existential distress | 2023 | Scoping review | n = 25 |
| Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress: practical considerations for therapeutic application—a review | 2024 | Narrative review |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- The meeting of meditative disciplines and western psychology: A mutually enriching dialogue. American Psychologist 2006
- The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. Journal of Affective Disorders August 15, 2023
- Meditation as an Adjunct to the Management of Acute Pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports June 7, 2023
- Peacefull: A French mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with chronic pain a feasibility study. Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie November 1, 2022
- Mindfulness for palliative care patients. Systematic review. International journal of clinical practice December 2017