Enhancing Quality of Life Through Physiotherapy in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of Evidence, Implementation Barriers, and Future Perspectives

Background: Palliative care aims to enhance the quality of life (QoL) for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Physiotherapy is a key component, but its full scope and impact require synthesis. This systematic review critically evaluates current evidence on physiotherapy’s role and effectiveness in palliative care, focusing on improving patient QoL. Methodology: The data was collected analyzing the research studies published between 2010 and 2025 from databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus using appropriate keywords. The review covers physiotherapy interventions (exercise, manual therapy, symptom management, education) for diverse patient groups (cancer, neurological, cardiopulmonary, HIV, frailty) across various palliative care settings. Results: Consistent evidence shows that physiotherapy improves physical function, manages symptoms (pain, fatigue, dyspnea), enhances psychological well-being, and supports independence; the positive impact of interventions on QoL of patients; the significant barriers to integration, including lack of awareness, underutilization, training gaps, and resource limitations; and the need for more robust research and holistic outcome measures. Conclusion: Physiotherapy is essential for enhancing the quality of life for patients in palliative care; however, addressing barriers through education, collaboration, resource advocacy, and research is crucial to optimize its benefits for patients and families.