University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- Setting of study: Belgium, between April 2013 and Feb 2016
- Sample size: 468 patients were screened for eligibility, of whom 186 were enrolled. Of these 186, 94 were randomly assigned to standard care, and 92 were randomly assigned to early and systemic palliative care.
- Results: Early and systemic palliative care significantly improves the quality of life of patients having advanced cancer, though survival didn't improve.
- Limitations: Out of the 358 patients who were eligible, only 186 actually enrolled and were randomly assigned into one of two groups. Out of the enrolled patients, only about 70% completed the first follow-up assessment. Also, this trial is non-blinded.

Summary of "Effect of early and systematic integration of palliative care in patients with advanced cancer: a randomised controlled trial"

Zimmermann, C., Swami, N., Krzyzanowska, M., Hannon, B., Leighl, N., Oza, A., Moore, M., Rydall, A., Rodin, G., Tannock, I., Donner, A., & Lo, C. (2014). Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet (London, England), 383(9930), 1721–1730.

Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: a cluster-randomised controlled trial | The Lancet

Vanbutsele, G., Pardon, K., Van Belle, S., Surmont, V., De Laat, M., Colman, R., Eecloo, K., Cocquyt, V., Geboes, K., & Deliens, L. (2018). Effect of early and systematic integration of palliative care in patients with advanced cancer: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. Oncology, 19(3), 394–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30060-3

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