A total of 22 RCTs covering the years 1984 to 2007 were included in this review. The median sample size was 204 (range: 69 to 4,804). Eighteen studies were based in the USA, four in the UK, one in Canada and one in Norway.
Eleven studies scored 60 points or more out of a possible 100 on the quality assessment. Most of the studies were small and likely to be underpowered.
QoL (13 RCTs): 9 RCTs showed no significant difference between specialist palliative care and control treatments, one favoured the control and three favoured the intervention.
Symptoms (14 RCTs): one RCT demonstrated significant benefits for the palliative care group for any measured single symptom, while three found a benefit of palliative care for reduction of symptom distress but not symptom severity.
Patient satisfaction with care (10 RCTs): one RCT showed a significant difference between groups in favour of the intervention at 30 days but not at 60 days.
Caregiver satisfaction (10 RCTs): 7 RCTs reported significant improvements in the intervention group.