Non-pharmacological nursing interventions pain management for palliative care patients
Sego, Sharon; Kiplagat, Sandra (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026052616793
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026052616793
Tiivistelmä
Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Nursing
SHARON SEGO, SANDRA KIPLAGAT
Nursing Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Management in Palliative Care
Year 2026 Number of pages 33
Effective pain management is one of the essential elements of quality palliative care services. Although the pharmacological method is the most employed, non-pharmacological methods of pain management through nursing interventions are also important as they provide additional strategies to pain management that are not medication-related, considering the multidimensional aspect of pain. Despite the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods, these are still not fully utilized in palliative care settings. The purpose of this thesis is to describe non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care. The aim of this thesis is to produce information on non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care. Our Research Question was what kind of non-pharmacological nursing interventions are used to manage pain in palliative care patients?
A descriptive literature review was conducted using systematic searches of CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, JBI and Cochrane Library databases. Journal articles published in English within the last 10 years (2015-2025) focusing on non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care were included. Data analysis was performed using inductive content analysis to identify themes and patterns related to intervention types, implementation, and effectiveness.
The findings produced three main themes. Physical non-pharmacological interventions, including back massage, therapist-applied massage, hand massage and reflexology, formed the most strongly supported category. Psychological and mind-body interventions, including progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery and relaxation techniques, addressed the affective and cognitive dimensions of pain. Sensory and complementary interventions, including receptive and active music therapy and aromatherapy, reduced pain, anxiety and distress in palliative care patients.
The strongest evidence based on the randomized controlled trials were found in massage therapy and music therapy. The results have strong evidence of multidimensional concept of total pain, that is, there is support that non-pharmacological interventions deal with the aspects of suffering that cannot be entirely of treatment by pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, there is a gap in evidence-practice that persists. Deficiency of training was found as the most important obstacle to implementation with the knowledge gap and organizational restriction like time pressure and a lack of institutional support coming next. Nurses who have a positive attitude towards non-pharmacological interventions do not always apply them unless properly trained and supported by the organization.
Key words are , Palliative care, Pain management, Non-pharmacological interventions, Nursing interventions, End-of-life care
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Nursing
SHARON SEGO, SANDRA KIPLAGAT
Nursing Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Management in Palliative Care
Year 2026 Number of pages 33
Effective pain management is one of the essential elements of quality palliative care services. Although the pharmacological method is the most employed, non-pharmacological methods of pain management through nursing interventions are also important as they provide additional strategies to pain management that are not medication-related, considering the multidimensional aspect of pain. Despite the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods, these are still not fully utilized in palliative care settings. The purpose of this thesis is to describe non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care. The aim of this thesis is to produce information on non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care. Our Research Question was what kind of non-pharmacological nursing interventions are used to manage pain in palliative care patients?
A descriptive literature review was conducted using systematic searches of CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, JBI and Cochrane Library databases. Journal articles published in English within the last 10 years (2015-2025) focusing on non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in palliative care were included. Data analysis was performed using inductive content analysis to identify themes and patterns related to intervention types, implementation, and effectiveness.
The findings produced three main themes. Physical non-pharmacological interventions, including back massage, therapist-applied massage, hand massage and reflexology, formed the most strongly supported category. Psychological and mind-body interventions, including progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery and relaxation techniques, addressed the affective and cognitive dimensions of pain. Sensory and complementary interventions, including receptive and active music therapy and aromatherapy, reduced pain, anxiety and distress in palliative care patients.
The strongest evidence based on the randomized controlled trials were found in massage therapy and music therapy. The results have strong evidence of multidimensional concept of total pain, that is, there is support that non-pharmacological interventions deal with the aspects of suffering that cannot be entirely of treatment by pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, there is a gap in evidence-practice that persists. Deficiency of training was found as the most important obstacle to implementation with the knowledge gap and organizational restriction like time pressure and a lack of institutional support coming next. Nurses who have a positive attitude towards non-pharmacological interventions do not always apply them unless properly trained and supported by the organization.
Key words are , Palliative care, Pain management, Non-pharmacological interventions, Nursing interventions, End-of-life care