Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition that gradually worsens motor function and leads to postural instability and, eventually, falls. Several factors may influence the frequency of future falls, such as slowness, freezing of gait, loss of balance, and mobility problems, cognitive impairments, and the number of previous falls. The TED bracelet is an advanced technological wearable device able to predict falls. Aims: This principal aim is to investigate the feasibility of a full-scale research project that uses the TED bracelet to identify whether individuals with PD are at risk of falling. Methods: This study will involve a pilot prospective observational study design; the subjects will include 26 patients suffering from mild PD and 26 others with no PD and no gait problems. Data will be collected from the TED bracelet and then compared to a paper-based fall diary. The enrolled participants will have a scheduled outpatient evaluation to collect both clinical and instrumental data as well as biological samples. Discussion: This pilot study could then be implemented in a larger form to further evaluate the effectiveness of the TED device. Finally, it will help further develop gait monitoring systems for people with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases that can affect physical function and mobility, such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Conclusions: Preventing falls and their complications could lead to major advancements in the quality of home care for patients with PD, which would significantly impact the quality of life of both these patients and their caregivers.

In recent years, healthcare organizations and scholars, particularly in Western societies, have increasingly recognized the importance of the spiritual dimension in patient care. However, this aspect still needs to be fully integrated into everyday practices. Palliative care has begun to emphasize spirituality, addressing patients' psychological and existential needs through a holistic approach beyond the traditional biomedical paradigm. This concept analysis will first explore healthcare and medical professionals' challenges in implementing shared and patient-centered spiritual practices. It will then draw on experiences integrating spirituality in palliative care from Thailand and Italy and introduce two conceptual models for spiritual care and needs assessment from the UK. The discussion will encourage the implementation of integrated models of spiritual needs assessment and care in adult end-of-life and palliative care settings (that address any life-limiting illness). This approach will enable health professionals to effectively address patients' spiritual needs, fostering authentic conversations that are pivotal in integrating models and transforming the care experience into an empowering and meaningful one for staff and patients.

Background: Italy was the first European country to be involved with the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many healthcare professionals were deployed and suddenly faced end-of-life care management and its challenges. Aims: To understand the experiences of palliative care professionals deployed in supporting emergency and critical care staff during the COVID-19 first and second pandemic waves. Research design: A qualitative descriptive design was adopted, and in-depth interviews were used to investigate and analyse participants’ perceptions and points of view. Participants and research context: Twenty-four healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, and spiritual support) from the most affected areas of Italy were recruited via the Italian society of palliative care and researchers’ network. Ethical considerations: The University Institutional Board granted ethical approval. Participants gave written informed consent and agreed to be video-recorded. Findings: The overarching theme highlighted participants’ experience supporting health professionals to negotiate ethical complexity in end-of-life care. Crucial topics that emerged within themes were: training emergency department professionals on ethical dimensions of palliative and end-of-life care, preserving dying patients’ dignity and developing ethical competence in managing end-of-life care. Conclusions: Our study showed palliative care teams’ challenges in supporting health professionals’ ethical awareness in emergencies. However, while they highlighted their concerns in dealing with the emergency staff’s lack of ethical perspectives, they also reported the positive impact of an ethically-informed palliative care approach. Lastly, this study illuminates how palliative care professionals’ clinical and ethical competence might have assisted a cultural change in caring for dying patients during COVID-19 and future emergencies.