Nonverbal vocalizations and moaning

: a terminal delirium associated symptom? : scoping review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to identify wether or not nonverbal vocalizations and moaning constitute a terminal delírium related symptom. Introduction: Patients with palliative needs, from the time of the diagnosis and more pronounced with the progression of disease, face an inexorable course of uncontrolled symptom, that in most cases are accentuated in the last days and hours of life. As it is the case of the delirium, that presents itself with a wide range of clinical manifestations, in particular with through non-verbal vocalizations, like groaning in patient´s without any identified pain. Methods: This scoping review is based on JBI methodology. The search was started initially on March 2020, suddenly due to COVID-19 pandemic the search was interrupted. The new search was conducted in October 2021. Inclusion Criteria: studies published in international databases and grey literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese languages with no time limit. Results: A total of 94 records from international databases were obtained for analysis. From these 6 articles were included in this review. Moaning and groaning have been identified by the literature at the patient with terminal delirium. Conclusion: In examining the scope and nature of the published scientific literature that addresses the assessment of nonverbal vocalizations in terminal patients with delirium in PC settings, primary studies are required to address many existing gaps.

Date of Award	8 Nov 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Manuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor)