Objective This study intends to understand the nature of experiences of adult with malignant brain tumor. This study integrated the research findings of relevant existing studies to provide empirical evidence-based suggestions on clinical care.
Inclusion criteria The participants of interest were the adult with malignant brain tumor and based on their voice to describe the whole experience, and/or report the impact it had on their lives. The phenomena of interest were the experience of family members' self-report of themselves or their family members with malignant brain tumor. This review considered studies that focus on qualitative method to examine experience of having an adult with malignant brain tumor. The research designs are such as qualitative research, phenomenology, hermeneutic phenomenology, ground theory, ethnography, action research, focus group and narrative research. The settings were included within home, and clinical setting of any cultural context.
Search strategy The aim of the search strategy was to obtain all relevant studies written in the English or Chinese language. The search was limited from the years 2002 to March 2013. The databases searched were: CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library, JBI website, Electronic Theses Dissertations System, Airiti Library.
Methodological quality Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
Data extraction and synthesis Qualitative research findings were extracted and pooled using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument.
Results A total of 10 qualitative papers were included in the review. Findings were extracted and meta-synthesised using JBI-QARI. Five syntheses were derived: (1) out of control and full of fear while aware of body function toward dependent; (2) the loss from family chaos and social isolation; (3) decision of treatment affecting family functions across generation; (4) confirming the life and existential trajectory; (5) the sense of existence tiding over and healing.
Implications The research finding shows the nature of family experience having an adult with malignant brain tumor. The findings of this study provide health professionals understand the family dynamic in related to phy-psy-social-spiritual experience of anticipatory loss.