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| Study | Objective and methodology | Results | Conclusion |
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| Ciocon et al. [61] | Evaluate the indications, benefits, and complications of ANH in patients using enteral tube, with serious swallowing disorders and at risk of aspiration | 67% of patients were agitated when the tube was removed and 43% had aspiration pneumonia during the study | Researchers concluded that the use of ANH may lead to a high frequency of complications |
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| Finucane et al. [10] | Review of the literature (1966 to 1999) to evaluate the use of ANH in advanced dementia | No data to suggest that the use of ANH may prevent aspiration pneumonia, reduce the risk of infections or prolong life | Most studies show that there are substantial risks in using ANH in these patients, and thus its use is discouraged |
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Li [62] | Review the use of ANH in patients with advanced dementia | ANH does not prevent malnutrition, reduce the occurrence of bed sores, or prevent aspiration pneumonia, nor does it prolong life | Although it may not be effective in preventing malnutrition and dehydration, this type of feeding allows a degree of maintenance and patient comfort |
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| Pasman et al. [19] | Evaluate the discomfort of patients with serious dementia of a Dutch nursing home | The highest rates of discomfort observed in these patients were in dyspnea, acute pain, and agitation | Not choosing ANH did not correlate with the level of discomfort of the patients. ANH was identified as an individual decision |
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| Clarfield et al. [63] | Evaluate the use of ANH in patients with advanced dementia admitted to Israeli and Canadian hospitals in order to find the main differences between ethnicities and ethical issues | 24,5% patients were in if fed by ANH | These results may be explained by a combination of administrative or financial incentives and by religion and culture |
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| Volkert et al. [43] | ESPEN Guideline developed to recommend use of ONT or ANH in elderly patients based on scientific evidence | No increase in survival associated with this use, leading the researchers to consider ANH only according to patient’s or family’s wishes | ANH not recommended in patients with advanced dementia |
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| Buiting et al. [64] | To investigate the opinion of Dutch and Australian physicians on use of ANH in patients with advanced dementia | Dutch physicians based their decision on a wide-ranging evaluation, while Australian physicians tended to use scientific evidence | All are reluctant at beginning of ANH but Dutch physicians tend to take primary responsibility for the decision, while Australian physicians prefer to leave the decision to the family |
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