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When preparing the August digest, we consulted Julia Cirule-Galuza, Head of the Children’s Palliative Care Service in Liepāja, Latvia, and founder of the International Journal Club. Drawing on her extensive experience with scientific publications, Julia selected the most recent materials for you: on nurses’ perceptions of innovations, the management of dystonia in children, palliative care pathways for ALS patients, the integration of palliative care into neurology, and sensor systems for preventing falls and pressure ulcers in patients. We thank Julia for contributing to the PACED digest and invite you to explore this selection carefully, as well as to share with us the articles you have found personally helpful. You can contact us at info@paced.org.uk.
When preparing the August digest, we consulted Julia Cirule-Galuza, Head of the Children’s Palliative Care Service in Liepāja, Latvia, and founder of the International Journal Club. Drawing on her extensive experience with scientific publications, Julia selected the most recent materials for you: on nurses’ perceptions of innovations, the management of dystonia in children, palliative care pathways for ALS patients, the integration of palliative care into neurology, and sensor systems for preventing falls and pressure ulcers in patients. We thank Julia for contributing to the PACED digest and invite you to explore this selection carefully, as well as to share with us the articles you have found personally helpful. You can contact us at info@paced.org.uk.
If you are a palliative care specialist representing one of the PACED countries and wish to join our community—please fill out this form, and we will contact you promptly.
Nurses’ Perspectives on Smart Technologies
The article explores nurses' perceptions of introducing innovations into hospital practice, using ‘smart mattresses’ as an example. Focus groups with 17 nurses revealed that such solutions can improve the quality of patient care and reduce the physical strain on staff, but also raise concerns due to limited understanding of their functioning and the risk of technical failures. These innovations enhance patient safety and comfort and positively affect nurse well-being, yet their successful implementation relies on adapting to specific contexts, active involvement of practitioners in the development process, and prompt staff training.
Read: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12578-z
The article explores nurses' perceptions of introducing innovations into hospital practice, using ‘smart mattresses’ as an example. Focus groups with 17 nurses revealed that such solutions can improve the quality of patient care and reduce the physical strain on staff, but also raise concerns due to limited understanding of their functioning and the risk of technical failures. These innovations enhance patient safety and comfort and positively affect nurse well-being, yet their successful implementation relies on adapting to specific contexts, active involvement of practitioners in the development process, and prompt staff training.
Read: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12578-z
International Consensus Guidance on Managing Dystonia
This guidance, created by experts in paediatric neurology and palliative care, focuses on managing dystonia in children with life-limiting conditions. Dystonia is one of the most challenging and exhausting symptoms in paediatric palliative practice. Drawing on international experience, the authors offer consensus recommendations on diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of dystonia, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing the quality of life of the child and family, as well as on the role of multidisciplinary teams in developing personalised care strategies. The guidance aims to serve as a foundation for improving clinical practice and encouraging further research in this field.
Read: https://www.epns.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Towards-new-perspectives_International-consensus-guidance-on-dystonia-in-paediatric-palliative-care.pdf
This guidance, created by experts in paediatric neurology and palliative care, focuses on managing dystonia in children with life-limiting conditions. Dystonia is one of the most challenging and exhausting symptoms in paediatric palliative practice. Drawing on international experience, the authors offer consensus recommendations on diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of dystonia, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing the quality of life of the child and family, as well as on the role of multidisciplinary teams in developing personalised care strategies. The guidance aims to serve as a foundation for improving clinical practice and encouraging further research in this field.
Read: https://www.epns.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Towards-new-perspectives_International-consensus-guidance-on-dystonia-in-paediatric-palliative-care.pdf
Palliative Care Pathways for ALS Patients
German researchers carried out a study on the care trajectories of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of health insurance data from 2016–2019, they identified nine distinct patterns of palliative care provision. Particular attention is given to comparing models that included Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care (SAPV) with those that did not. Patients receiving home-based care were less frequently hospitalised and had access to support better aligned with their needs and preferences. The authors also emphasise the importance of a comprehensive approach to organising palliative care in ALS, which not only enhances patients’ quality of life but also facilitates more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Read: https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-025-01843-x
German researchers carried out a study on the care trajectories of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of health insurance data from 2016–2019, they identified nine distinct patterns of palliative care provision. Particular attention is given to comparing models that included Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care (SAPV) with those that did not. Patients receiving home-based care were less frequently hospitalised and had access to support better aligned with their needs and preferences. The authors also emphasise the importance of a comprehensive approach to organising palliative care in ALS, which not only enhances patients’ quality of life but also facilitates more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Read: https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-025-01843-x
Integration of Palliative Care Into Neurology
This paper explores the importance of integrating palliative care more closely into neurological practice. The authors highlight that patients with neuro-oncological and chronic progressive neurological conditions often do not receive adequate symptom management, family support, and care planning. The article provides evidence supporting routine screening for patients’ palliative needs, which would help identify the need for specialised support promptly and prevent late referrals to palliative services. The key conclusion is that incorporating palliative care into neurology should become standard practice to improve patients' quality of life throughout their illness.
Read: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39006519/
This paper explores the importance of integrating palliative care more closely into neurological practice. The authors highlight that patients with neuro-oncological and chronic progressive neurological conditions often do not receive adequate symptom management, family support, and care planning. The article provides evidence supporting routine screening for patients’ palliative needs, which would help identify the need for specialised support promptly and prevent late referrals to palliative services. The key conclusion is that incorporating palliative care into neurology should become standard practice to improve patients' quality of life throughout their illness.
Read: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39006519/
Sensors for Fall and Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Researchers examined which sensor systems are most dependable for monitoring patients with limited mobility. Two approaches were compared: wearable devices (such as accelerometers that record movement) and contextual sensors embedded in the environment (cameras, radars). The results showed that wearable sensors deliver the highest accuracy in data collection and enable prompt detection of changes in a patient’s condition, while contextual systems often produced false alarms and raised concerns about patient privacy. The findings are especially significant for palliative care professionals working with immobilised patients: using reliable wearable devices can help reduce the risk of complications, ensure patient safety and comfort, and decrease the workload for healthcare staff while respecting the patient’s personal space.
Read: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40120168/
Researchers examined which sensor systems are most dependable for monitoring patients with limited mobility. Two approaches were compared: wearable devices (such as accelerometers that record movement) and contextual sensors embedded in the environment (cameras, radars). The results showed that wearable sensors deliver the highest accuracy in data collection and enable prompt detection of changes in a patient’s condition, while contextual systems often produced false alarms and raised concerns about patient privacy. The findings are especially significant for palliative care professionals working with immobilised patients: using reliable wearable devices can help reduce the risk of complications, ensure patient safety and comfort, and decrease the workload for healthcare staff while respecting the patient’s personal space.
Read: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40120168/
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