RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the psychological distresses for patients with cancer and cancer survivors, which poses a physical and psychological threat. There is scant evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy in reducing fear of cancer recurrence. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for fear of cancer recurrence. METHOD: The review was reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses statement. Seven databases were systematically searched from inception to 31 March 2023. Randomised controlled trials implementing cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions and studies reporting fear of cancer recurrence were included. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2. RESULTS: A total of 32 randomised controlled trials involving 1515 cancer survivors and 1845 patients with cancer undergoing treatment were included. The meta-analysis indicated a significant effect of cognitive-behavioural therapy on fear of cancer recurrence in patients with cancer and cancer survivors compared with controls (g=-0.65; 95% CI=-0.86, -0.44; p<0.001). The results of the overall risk of bias indicated some concerns in 4 studies and a high risk in 28 studies. CONCLUSION: The study indicated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention for fear of cancer recurrence in patients with cancer and cancer survivors, which should inform future clinical practice of interventions for the treatment of fear of cancer recurrence. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023404948.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the psychological distresses that seriously affects the quality of life of breast cancer patients. However, the evidence for cognitive behavioral therapy on fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing breast cancer patients' fear of cancer recurrence. METHODS: Seven databases were searched for randomized controlled studies on cognitive behavioral therapy for fear of cancer recurrence in cancer patients from the inception of the database to April 30, 2023, with no language restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata MP 17. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2 was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation method. RESULTS: This review includes a total of 13 randomized controlled trials with 1447 breast cancer patients and survivors. When compared with controls, meta-analysis revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced the fear of cancer recurrence (g = -0.44; 95% confidence interval, -0.75 to -0.13; P < .001), whereas subgroup analysis revealed that only mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was significant. The overall risk of bias was high. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment showed a low overall quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective in reducing fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer patients, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is particularly worthy of implementation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may be used as an additional strategy to help manage breast cancer patients' fears of cancer recurrence.