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The Marie Curie Research Conference 2023
Monday 6 February – Friday 10 February 2023
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
47  Important outcomes to measure in trials of touch-based complementary therapies in palliative care
Free
  1. Lucy Mitchinson1,
  2. Bridget Candy1,
  3. Nuriye Kupeli1,
  4. Cecilia Vindrola-Padros2,
  5. Diana Robinson3,
  6. Jason W Boland4 and
  7. Patrick Stone1
  1. 1Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
  2. 2Department of Targeted Intervention and Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab (RREAL), University College London, London, UK
  3. 3Patient and public involvement representative for University College London, UK
  4. 4Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK

Abstract

Introduction Complementary therapies, such as massage and reflexology, are widely used in palliative care settings. People with advanced disease report a range of physical and psychological benefits, however clinical trials evidence for effectiveness of complementary therapy is inconclusive. Developing a core outcome set (a list of outcomes deemed most important by key stakeholders) can ensure clinical trials consistently evaluate meaningful outcomes.

Aims To develop a core outcome set for touch-based complementary therapies in palliative care.

Methods Potentially relevant outcomes were identified by screening published randomised control trials of touch-based therapies in clinical populations identified in a systematic review, and qualitative studies of complementary therapies in people with advanced disease. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and complementary therapists to identify additional relevant outcomes. Patients, complementary therapists and academics rated the importance of the identified outcomes in a modified online Delphi survey. Outcomes for which ≥70% of the group agreed were critically important and were discussed and voted on in a consensus meeting.

Results 59 unique outcomes were identified from published literature and interviews. Of these, 17 were deemed critically important in the Delphi survey. From voting in the consensus meeting, five outcomes were selected for inclusion. An additional three outcomes were identified as important to patients and were incorporated. The final core outcome set comprises; Anxiety, Sleep quality, Overall mental wellbeing, Pain, Muscle relaxation, Mental resilience, Enjoyment and Patient satisfaction.

Conclusions A Core Outcome Set reflecting the priorities of patients, complementary therapists and academics has been developed to be used in palliative care clinical trials.

Impact Use of the core outcome set in future trials will standardise outcomes and allow for better data comparison and synthesis. Improving the evidence base will help us bridge the gap between patient experience and trial outcomes and better understand the effect of complementary therapies for patients receiving palliative care.

https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-MCRC.46

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