Non-Pharmacologic Approaches to Sleep Problems for Palliative Care Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: This present systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological approaches to sleep problems for cancer patients in palliative care.

METHOD: In this review, the data of the last 5 years from 2018 to 2023 are included in Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Ulakbim National Database and Cochrane Library databases were scanned using the keywords “palliative care, sleep disorder, non-pharmacologic, insomnia, cancer, randomized controlled trial” in English and Turkish. As a result of the search, we identified 90 articles. This review was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 Statement recommendations.

RESULTS: This current review comprised 5 randomized controlled trials. The included studies were found to examine methods such as aromatherapy, massage, therapeutic touch, and white light, leaving out other methods (sleep hygiene, exercise, etc.), which are effective in treating insomnia. We established that the methods discussed in these studies were highly effective in improving sleep quality.

CONCLUSION: Non-pharmacological methods for treating sleep problems in cancer patients in palliative care have been shown to be effective. We consider it important that nurses were involved in these studies. On the other hand, we would recommend that studies be conducted to evaluate the effect of other nonpharmacologic methods on sleep problems.

Cite this article as: Baykal, D., & Çömlekçi, N. (2023). Non-pharmacologic approaches to sleep problems for palliative care cancer patients: A systematic review. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 31(2), 131-137.