A review calls for routine palliative care in motor neuron disease
Original source
Palliative care to support the needs of adults with neurological disease. (opens in a new tab)Compass summarised this from the study's abstract.
Study details
- Study type
- Review
- Studied in
- Human
Evidence from clinical trials supports outpatient or home-based palliative care interventions for people with motor neuron disease. A review says palliative care can address physical, psychosocial and spiritual or existential suffering, but most people with neurological diseases do not currently receive enough support.
Why this matters
This is relevant to people with motor neuron disease and their families who need support with quality of life and the effects of serious illness. The review recommends routine screening for palliative care needs and closer collaboration between neurologists and palliative care specialists. It describes care-system changes rather than a new treatment for motor neuron disease.
Limitations and context
This source is a review in The Lancet Neurology, not a new motor neuron disease trial. It summarises evidence across several neurological diseases, and the source does not provide the size or results of the motor neuron disease trials. It also reports that wider research, education and advocacy are still needed to improve care.