Abstract: Objective: To systematically review the real experience of living with a tube in patients with home enteral tube feeding and provide evidence-based guidance for the home care service system. Methods: We searched databases including Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CNKI, CBM, VIP, Wanfang Data from inception to March 2020. The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies in Australia was used to evaluate the quality of studies. The Integrating Methods was applied to integrate the results. Results: A total of 75 findings were extracted from 17 qualified studies and then 4 synthesized results were summarized from 9 new categories. Integration result 1: decision making for home tube feeding (individualized decision and supporting needs for decision). Integration result 2: the loss of normal life (negative body experience, negative psychological experience, and negative experience of social life). Integration result 3: adjusting to the new normal (self coping and positive psychological adjustment). Integration result 4: the challenges and values of family tube feeding (transitioning back to oral and value of home enteral tube feeding). Conclusion: The staged experience reveals the positive feelings and difficulties of the tube feeding process. Healthcare workers should pay more attention to patients' needs, and provide dynamic, multi-aspect, and transitional medical care service.

Key words: home enteral tube feeding; patients; real experience; qualitative research; Meta-synthesis