RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Experiences of noninvasive ventilation in adults with hypercapnic respiratory failure: a review of evidence JF European Respiratory Review JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW FD European Respiratory Society SP 451 OP 471 DO 10.1183/16000617.0002-2016 VO 25 IS 142 A1 Hamadziripi Ngandu A1 Nichola Gale A1 Jane B. Hopkinson YR 2016 UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/25/142/451.abstract AB Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to be beneficial for patients with respiratory failure; however, many patients fail to tolerate it and require other interventions. The objective of this thematic synthesis was to describe the nature of NIV experiences in adults with hypercapnic respiratory failure. A systematic, computerised literature search of English-language databases was undertaken with no restriction on date of publication. A total of 99 papers was identified and screened for eligibility from databases including CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, and some were hand searched. 45 papers were critically appraised and 32 met our inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified six key themes: benefits of NIV; fear (of various categories, namely, fear of technology/mask, fear of death and dying, and fear of pain and suffering); adaptation to NIV machine; decision making; need for information; and relationship with healthcare professionals. For people using NIV treatment, the experience of being on the NIV machine is unexpected and can be stressful. Findings from this review offer healthcare professionals insights and understanding into the patient experience of NIV. Healthcare professionals may use these findings to implement new strategies in NIV provision and the exploration of the applicability of age-specific supportive care NIV guidelines.There is a need for research into the experiences of NIV in older people with hypercapnic respiratory failure http://ow.ly/10onBl