A systematic review of cognitive behavioral interventions in advanced cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review cognitive behavioral interventions for people with advanced cancer.


METHODS
A literature search was conducted using Medline©, CINAHL©, and Psych-info©.


METHODS
studies were included in the review if they met the following criteria: (1) the design was a randomized clinical trial, (2) the study tested a cognitive behavioral therapy, including psycho-educational, alternative and complementary therapies (i.e. acupuncture, relaxation), expressive, support and skill building interventions, (3) participants were adults (18 years of age or older) with advanced cancer and the (4) outcomes were directly related to the patient with advanced cancer.


RESULTS
11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the studies in the review: treatment effects were not statistically significant in most studies, methods were not consistently described, and samples had limited racial/ethnic diversity.


CONCLUSIONS
The interpretation of the effectiveness of the CBIs was limited by major challenges to the internal validity of the studies included in the review. The lack of data about the efficacy of CBIs to support people with advanced cancer is a gap in the current knowledge base.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the needs of people living with advanced cancer well-designed studies are needed to test interventions that will improve outcomes for people living with advanced cancer.
Department of Acute and Specialty Care, University of Virginia, School of Nursing, Charlottesville 222908, USA. clc5t@virginia.edu
Cathy L
CL
Campbell
Lisa C
LC
Campbell
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome