Recognising dying in motor neurone disease: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Timely identification of dying in motor neurone disease enables optimal care, yet we know that healthcare professionals can fail to recognise when death is approaching. Clinical factors help predict the end of life in other terminal conditions. Examining these principles in motor neurone disease would help guide more accurate recognition of this critical phase.

Aim: To examine and map out what is known about dying in patients with motor neurone disease, and the recognition of dying by healthcare professionals.

Design: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework.

Data sources: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL) and grey literature were searched on the 10th May 2023. Reference lists and citations were also reviewed.

Results: From 1512 articles, 13 studies were included. Dyspnoea, anxiety and pain were the most common symptoms associated with the dying phase. Worsening respiratory function, the development of specific new symptoms and deteriorating symptom control suggested approaching death. No studies reported changes in vital signs or biomarkers associated with dying. Barriers to the recognition of dying by healthcare professionals included a rapid and unpredictable terminal decline.

Conclusions: Dying in motor neurone disease is associated with patterns of symptoms and signs, however evidence is limited compared with other terminal conditions and requires further exploration. The characteristic sudden and unpredictable terminal decline is a key barrier to recognition of dying by healthcare professionals. Optimising advance care planning is one approach to navigate these complex, unpredictable clinical situations.

Keywords: Palliative care; motor neuron disease; palliative supportive care; review.

Figure 1.

Flow diagram for the scoping review process.