Palliative sedation therapy for terminal movement disorders

Palliative sedation therapy (PST) can be a challenging area of palliative medicine because of the complex ethical considerations involved. PST is a medical therapy used for refractory symptoms in terminally ill patients and is often considered ethically justified due to the principle of double effect. Even in cases where PST is clearly indicated such as refractory cancer pain, there is potential for moral distress among clinicians. Here, we present a unique case in which multiple therapeutic options were limited in a patient with overlapping diagnoses of catatonia, medication-induced extrapyramidal symptoms, and dementia with Lewy bodies. We review how existing frameworks can be applied to similar situations and offer practical strategies to support medical decision-making regarding PST and reduce the risk of moral distress among clinicians.

Palliative Sedation Therapy and Survival (DRAFT)

Patients with advanced illness sometimes experience severe and debilitating physical and psychological symptoms at the end of life that may be refractory to all kinds of conventional treatments available for symptom relief. In such situations, palliative sedation therapy (PST) may be indicated. However, its utilization has been subject to debate. One viewpoint is that PST may hasten death. However, some studies have indicated otherwise. This chapter discusses a multicenter, prospective, observational, nonrandomized population-based study that compared the overall survival of a cohort of terminally ill patients who received PST with a similar group of patients who did not. The study showed that PST does not shorten life when used to relieve refractory symptoms. The chapter also presents a clinical case scenario to illustrate who should receive PST.