Changes of body movements on the bed and nurses' prediction of impending death in end-of-life cancer patients: a prospective observational study

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Chiba Cancer Center (Research Institute)
• Principal Investigator: Suganuma Dai 千葉県がんセンター(研究所), 緩和医療科, 医長 (70898402)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田口 奈津子 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准教授 (80282474)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 緩和医療 / バイタルパラメータ / 癌終末期 / 看護行為

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the association between nurses' actions and vital signs in terminally ill cancer patients. Nurses predict death within 72 hours with high accuracy, but objective data is lacking. We reviewed nursing records for actions and used a non-contact and non-restricted vital parameter recording system (bed sensor system) to monitor patients without disrupting care. This study included 40 patients. The study found that nurse’s action of radial artery pulse check and oral medications discontinuation were most often recorded within 3-6 days of death. Additionally, patients spent more time in bed during daytime, had less stable breathing patterns, and showed lower nighttime activity when nurses checked pulses compared to those of three days prior.
These findings could help standardize palliative care, develop models to predict health changes, and support medical professionals' decisions. This research contributes to improving end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.

Free Research Field

緩和医療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で明らかになった看護行動発生とバイタルパラメータの関係性は、 緩和ケアの標準化や病状変化を予測する臨床予測モデルの構築や医療者の判断支援への情報提供へと繋がる可能性があり、緩和医療の標準化に寄与しえる研究成果である。