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Review
. 2019 Jul-Sep;25(3):445-454.
doi: 10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_16_19.

A Review of Biographical Work in Palliative Care

Michaela Hesse  1 , Simon Forstmeier  2 , Mochamat Mochamat  1   3 , Lukas Radbruch  1   4
Affiliations
Review

A Review of Biographical Work in Palliative Care

Michaela Hesse et al. Indian J Palliat Care. 2019 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Aim: We find several interventions in palliative care to cover psychosocial needs and to relieve distress of patients. There is a growing interest in therapies using biographical approaches, but discussion about interventions is sparse, and there is no concept for comprehensive and sustainable provision. Research on interventions with a single biographical approach is available, but there is no systematic review that tests a range of interventions. Therefore, we look at all studies using biographical approaches for patients and/or caregivers.

Methods: In May 2017, the electronic databases of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Central, and PsycINFO were searched for qualitative and quantitative empirical reports. Interventions for patients, dyads of patient and caregiver, and bereaved caregivers were included. Data analysis follows the guideline PRISMA.

Results: Twenty-seven studies were included - 12 using a quantitative evaluation and 15 using a qualitative evaluation. Interventions using biographical approach are widespread and show broad variations in comprehension and performance. The scope of interest lays on patient and family in trajectory of illness and bereavement. The most common interventions used were life review, short life review, dignity therapy, and bereaved life review. Biographical approaches increase quality of life and spiritual well-being and reduce depression. Interventions show effects independently of the number of sessions or provider.

Conclusions: Transferability of concepts seems limited due to the implications of culture on themes emerging in interventions. In some case, there were predicting factors for responders and nonresponders. Further research is needed.

Keywords: Biography; life review; narration; palliative care; terminal care.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Risk of bias graph: Review of authors’ judgments about each risk of bias item presented as percentage across all included quantitative studies
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias summary: Review of authors’ judgments about each risk of bias item presented as percentage across all included randomized controlled trials
Figure 3
Figure 3
PRISMA flow diagram
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot of meta-analysis of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot of meta-analysis of the Beck Depression Inventory
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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