Oct 23, 2020
This episode features Dr Bridget Candy (Marie Curie
Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry,
University College London, London, UK).
A systematic review of effectiveness data on aromatherapy, massage
and reflexology in palliative care drew inconclusive
conclusions. A systematic review of qualitative evidences shows
palliative care patients highly value complementary
therapy.
None of the aromatherapy, massage or reflexology trials included
all key delivery components as outlined by palliative care
patients. The five quality of life scales used in the trials failed
to capture the range of perceived benefits from
the complementary therapies and many included inappropriate or
redundant items. This novel but simple method of integrating
synthesised qualitative and quantitative reviews through matrices
allows the reasons for inconclusive trial evidence to be
explored.
This synthesis has highlighted a need for fully powered, robust
trials of aromatherapy, massage and reflexology that
are conducted with the key components described by people with
palliative care needs. Outcome measures should be appropriate
to capture the range of potential benefits highlighted by people
with palliative needs. In the meantime, complementary
therapies should continue to be offered as part of palliative
care.