Non-pharmacological interventions in primary care to improve the quality of life of older patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

ObjectivesOur systematic review aimed to summarise non-pharmacological interventions applicable in primary care that improve the quality of life of older patients with palliative care needs.DesignSystematic review.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was patients' quality of life. Secondary outcomes were symptoms relief and patients' well-being measures.Methods and analysisWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane and CINAHL up to October 2022 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We also handsearched abstract books of relevant congresses and scientific meetings in the last 5 years. Screening, data extraction and quality evaluation (Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB) V.2.0 tool and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE)) were done independently by two reviewers, with disagreements solved by a third reviewer. Findings were narratively synthesised.ResultsWe identified 4 RCTs, including 268 patients. One study used a broad criteria of palliative care needs ('progressive, life-threatening disease'), two studies focused on advanced cancer and one study on heart failure. The non-pharmacological interventions evaluated were advance care planning conducted by general practitioners (GPs); social worker-aided palliative care; online primary palliative care training for GPs and spiritual history taking by nurses and GPs. No intervention showed a statistically significant impact on quality of life and the evidence was low according to GRADE.ConclusionThe results highlight a dearth of evidence on what non-pharmacological interventions can be effectively done in primary care to improve the quality of life of older persons with palliative care needs. The results should be interpreted with caution, as the search more comprehensively covers interventions delivered by GPs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020154216.