Nursing interventions for dyspnoea management among inpatients with cancer in palliative care

Abstract

Background: Dyspnoea, a commonly reported symptom among patients with cancer, necessitates the need for appropriate non-pharmacological interventions for its management and suitable assessment scales. Aims: To explore the nursing interventions and assessment scales for managing dyspnoea in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. Methods: Systematic review. Five databases (CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched, and seven studies were identified. Only studies that comprised randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials or quasi-experimental settings were included. Findings: Nursing interventions, that support a patient's physical breathing and mental functioning, are effective in managing dyspnoea. It is crucial to use both subjective and physical assessment methods to accurately measure the outcomes of these interventions. Conclusion: These interventions have been proven to be effective, with outcomes centred on changes in physiological measurements and patients' subjective expressions.