A scoping review: understanding global integration of traditional, complementary and alternative therapies (TCAT) in end-of-life care (EoLC)

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Gray, C orcid iconORCID: 0009-0008-8323-0165, Peck, D, Higginbotham, K orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-0795-7473, Frost, R orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-3523-0052, Hayes, JA orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-1770-4683 and Leavey, C orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-3273-1591 (2026) A scoping review: understanding global integration of traditional, complementary and alternative therapies (TCAT) in end-of-life care (EoLC). Critical Public Health, 36 (1). ISSN 0958-1596

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Abstract

Integration of traditional, complementary and alternative therapies (TCAT) in end-of-life care (EoLC) comprises a complex intersection that challenges conventional implementation frameworks. This scoping review, conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guidelines, examined how healthcare systems globally integrate and implement TCAT in EoLC for adults. Four electronic databases were searched alongside grey literature sources. Twenty-eight sources met the inclusion criteria, spanning multiple regions and healthcare contexts. Integration models identified included hub and spoke, bedside-to-bench, and unified departmental approaches. Implementation success was influenced by professional collaboration, physical infrastructure, and organisational support systems. The predominant facilitator was organisational support (64.3%), while key barriers included the dominance of Western biomedical paradigms (32.1%), cultural protocol requirements, and resource constraints. Integration patterns varied across therapy types and geographic contexts, with physical therapies demonstrating more structured implementation pathways and traditional healing practices requiring flexible approaches to accommodate cultural requirements. The findings suggest that successful TCAT integration may require flexible yet systematic implementation approaches capable of accommodating cultural variation while maintaining therapeutic integrity. Significant literature gaps exist in formal implementation frameworks, particularly regarding cultural integration protocols and interprofessional collaboration strategies.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Complementary therapies; end-of-life care; healthcare integration; implementation; scoping review; 4203 Health Services and Systems; 42 Health Sciences; Complementary and Integrative Health; Generic health relevance; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1608 Sociology; Public Health; 4206 Public health; 4401 Anthropology; 4410 Sociology
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
R Medicine > RT Nursing
R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Divisions: Public and Allied Health
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date of acceptance: 27 March 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access: 30 April 2026
Date Deposited: 30 Apr 2026 10:56
Last Modified: 30 Apr 2026 10:56
DOI or ID number: 10.1080/09581596.2026.2653344
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28500
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