Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40988502›Full record

SynthesisThe American journal of hospice & palliative care2026

Legacy-Oriented Interventions for Supporting Family Bereavement and Psychosocial Adaptation in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Systematic Review.

Daniela Jesus-Ferreira, Paulo Reis-Pina

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The American journal of hospice & palliative care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Daniela Jesus-FerreiraPalliative Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.
Paulo Reis-PinaPalliative Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-4665-585X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BackgroundLegacy-oriented interventions (LOI) are increasingly integrated into pediatric palliative care (PPC) to support children and their families during serious illness and bereavement. However, its impact on family grief and psychosocial outcomes remains insufficiently explored.ObjectivesThis systematic review evaluated the effects of LOI on children and families receiving PPC.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to February 28, 2025. Eligible studies included children and families in PPC settings. Outcomes of interest encompassed relational and memorialization, psychosocial adaptation, family/care system, and clinical domains. Quality appraisal and narrative synthesis were performed.ResultsNine qualitative studies met inclusion criteria, all conducted in the United States of America with 164 participants. Eight studies were rated as high quality and one as moderate. LOI facilitated emotional connection with the child, supported coping and meaning-making, and fostered sustained relationships with healthcare professionals. Several interventions were adapted to cultural or spiritual contexts. The effectiveness of LOI varied by type of legacy (tangible vs intangible) and the family's stage of bereavement. Few studies explored symptom control or broader social outcomes.ConclusionsLOI appear to provide valuable psychosocial support for families in PPC, particularly by sustaining emotional bonds and promoting grief adaptation. Nevertheless, the evidence base is limited to small, qualitative studies from a single country. Further research in diverse cultural settings, employing longitudinal and mixed-method designs, is needed to inform clinical practice and policy.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalBereavementFamilyPalliative CarePediatricsChildFamily SupportGriefHumansSocial Supportbereavementfamilypalliative careparent-child relationspediatricspsychosocial support systemssystematic reviewterminal care

Identifiers

PMID40988502
PMCPMC13598306

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.