Psychological challenges & wellbeing | Psychological Distress

Psychological distress interventions for family members in palliative care: a scoping review

Published: Sep 2025

Authors

Haichen Wu

Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Daxue East Road 166, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China

Pengxin Dong

Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Daxue East Road 166, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China

Yidan Chai

Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Daxue East Road 166, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China

Ping Huang

Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Daxue East Road 166, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China

Huiqiao Huang

Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Daxue East Road 166, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China

Abstract

Background: 

With the rapid increase in demand for palliative care, patients’ families face serious psychological distress; however, there are fewer intervention studies on psychological distress in family members.

Objective:

This study aimed to provide an overview of interventions and their effectiveness on psychological distress in family members of palliative care patients.

Methods:

This study utilized a scoping review methodology, based on the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, by searching six databases (including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Ovid medline, Scopus, and Web of Sciences) to screen the eligible research literature. Studies on psychological distress interventions for family members of palliative care patients were included, and data on study design, intervention type, and intervention effect were extracted, summarized, and analyzed.

Results:

A search of six databases initially yielded 23,697 records. After deduplication and screening, 34 eligible studies were retained (n = 34). These reports originated from The USA (n = 13), Europe (n = 11), Asia (n = 6), and Australia (n = 4). Study designs comprised randomized controlled trials, pre- and post-test comparisons, and pilot studies. The interventions identified included psychological and psychosocial interventions; problem-solving and cognitive-behavioral interventions; web-based or mobile app interventions; relaxation, art, and music therapy interventions; communication, expression, and group interventions; dignity therapy; and structured family meetings. More than half of the studies demonstrated significant improvements in family caregivers’ psychological distress.

Conclusions

Although psychological distress interventions for family members of palliative care patients have been effective, there are still limitations in the study and further research is needed to meet the needs of different groups of family members and to better support their mental health.

Access

Web link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01873-5