Nursing interventions in palliative care and quality of life in cancer patients: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47606/ACVEN/MV0340Keywords:
Palliative care, oncology nursing, ; quality of life, cancer, comprehensive care, systematic review.Abstract
Introduction: Palliative care alleviates suffering and improves the quality of life of cancer patients through comprehensive care, in which nursing plays a fundamental role within the interdisciplinary team. Objective: To analyze nursing interventions in palliative care and their impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The search was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases. Articles published between 2021 and 2025 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were considered. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO under number CRD420261437426. A total of 612 records were identified, and after the screening and eligibility process, 20 studies were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results: Nursing-led interventions showed positive effects on the management of physical symptoms, emotional coping, therapeutic communication, and continuity of care. Studies with a low or moderate risk of bias predominated. The most effective interventions were early palliative care, educational and psychoeducational interventions, structured telephone follow-up, advance care planning, and care coordination. Conclusions: Nursing interventions in palliative care are critical to the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients. The heterogeneity in the methodology of the included studies highlights the need to conduct research with more robust designs to strengthen evidence-based clinical practice.
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