[Psychological treatments for pain in cancer patients : A systematic review on the current state of research].
BACKGROUND
In cancer patients, pain is one of the main symptoms and especially in the late stages of disease, these symptoms can be associated with considerable suffering. In psycho-oncology, preliminary psychological therapies targeting cancer pain have been tested; however, a systematic review of available interventions is lacking, especially considering their dissemination, evidence base, study quality, and the comparison with established treatments. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to systematically review the current research on psychological treatments for pain in cancer patients.


METHODS
During May 2014, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and CENTRAL databases were searched. Psychological treatments for pain in adult cancer patients studied in randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and referring to pain as primary or secondary outcome were included. After examination for inclusion, structured data extraction and assessment followed. Data were synthesized narratively.


RESULTS
In the review, 32 RCTs were included. Studies mainly referred to patients with breast cancer or patients in earlier stages of the disease. The methodological quality of included studies was heterogeneous. Most commonly, short interventions were delivered by nurses in out-patient settings. Interventions including education and relaxation techniques were utilized most often, followed by interventions with behavioral or cognitive components.


CONCLUSIONS
A need for research persists regarding efficacy of current psychotherapeutic interventions, or the role of mediator variables (e. g., coping) on pain perception in cancer patients. Studies with high methodological quality which comprehensively and transparently report on interventions and designs are lacking.
Abteilung für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Deutschland. dr.franziska.kuehne@uni-potsdam.de.
F
F
Kühne
Arbeitsbereich Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland.
C
C
Meinders
Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
H
H
Mohr
Psychologisch-psychotherapeutische Praxis, Hamburg, Deutschland.
K
K
Hafenbrack
Psychologischer Dienst, Krankenhaus St. Joseph-Stift Bremen, Bremen, Deutschland.
K
K
Kieseritzky
Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
C
C
Rosenberger
Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
M
M
Härter
Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
F
F
Schulz-Kindermann
Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Bereich Schmerzmedizin und Schmerzpsychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
R
R
Klinger
Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland.
A Y
AY
Nestoriuc
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000072716:Cancer Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012064:Relaxation Therapy
Behavior therapy; Cognitive therapy; Education, patients; Neoplasms, psychology; Relaxation