物理治療於安寧緩和醫療之運用

Application of Physical Therapy to Palliative Care and Hospice

安寧緩和醫療著重於病人身、心、靈的支持與照顧，特別是協助病人緩解身體上的痛苦，包括：疼痛、呼吸困難、身心壓力。物理治療可以透過適當的按摩、翻身、擺位、關節活動、行走、運動等方式，提升病人身體的功能，減輕病人的身體病痛。越來越多的研究顯示，安寧緩和醫療病人若能接受物理治療，對病人的身體症狀、心理症狀、生活品質、生活獨立性等皆會有正面的幫助。然而，目前物理治療在安寧緩和醫療領域仍屬較新觀念，在臨床上較少受到應用，期待透過本文，醫護人員、家屬及其他專業人員能更了解物理治療在安寧緩和醫療的角色與運用，並有機會加以應用於提昇癌症末期病人與家屬生活品質的照顧服務。

The concept of hospice focuses on providing quality care and support for terminally ill patients in physical, psycho-social, and spiritual aspects, especially in relieving physical sufferings such as pain, difficult breathing, and stresses. Physical therapy assists hospice patients in improving physical function and relieving uncomfortable symptoms through massaging, turning and repositioning, moving joints, walking, and exercising. More and more studies indicate that application of physical therapy to terminally ill patients has positive impacts on patients' physical and psychological symptoms, quality of life, and independence. However, application of physical therapy to palliative and hospice patients remains a new concept and is rarely implemented in clinical settings. This article helps palliative care providers, other professionals, patients, and family members have a better understanding of the role and application of physical therapy and it's positive impacts on the quality of life and well-being of both hospice patients and family members.