title: A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions for couples coping with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct that includes physical, psychological, and relationship well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies published between 1980 and 2012 of interventions conducted with both cancer patients and their partners that were aimed at improving QOL. Using bibliographic software and manual review, two independent raters reviewed 752 articles with a systematic process for reconciling disagreement, yielding 23 articles for systematic review and 20 for meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most studies were conducted in breast and prostate cancer populations. Study participants (N = 2645) were primarily middle aged (mean = 55 years old) and white (84%). For patients, the weighted average effect size (g) across studies was 0.25 (95% CI = 0.12-0.32) for psychological outcomes (17 studies), 0.31 (95% CI = 0.11-0.50) for physical outcomes (12 studies), and 0.28 (95% CI = 0.14-0.43) for relationship outcomes (10 studies). For partners, the weighted average effect size was 0.21 (95% CI = 0.08-0.34) for psychological outcomes (12 studies) and 0.24 (95% CI = 0.6-0.43) for relationship outcomes (7 studies).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, couple-based interventions had small but beneficial effects in terms of improving multiple aspects of QOL for both patients and their partners. Questions remain regarding when such interventions should be delivered and for how long. Identifying theoretically based mediators and key features that distinguish couple-based from patient-only interventions may help strengthen their effects on patient and partner QOL.
authors.affiliation: Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. hoda.badr@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Hoda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Badr
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krebs
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome