Effects of psychological interventions in cancer survivors: A review

  • Óscar Galindo Vázquez Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM. México. Servicio de Psico-oncología, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN. México.
  • Edith Rojas Castillo Servicio de Psico-oncología, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN. México.
  • Corina Benjet Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz. México.
  • Abelardo Meneses García Dirección General, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN. México.
  • José Luis Aguilar Ponce Subdirección de Medicina Interna, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN. México.
  • Salvador Alvarado Aguilar Servicio de Psico-oncología, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología INCAN. México.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_PSIC.2014.v11.n2-3.47385
Keywords: Cancer, treatment effectiveness, psychological therapy, survivors.

Abstract

Introduction: During the past decades early detection and effective cancer treatments have produced an increase in the number of cancer survivors. This represents a large group of patients susceptible to psychological, physical and social impairments after cancer treatment.

Objective: To review the literature on the effects of psychological therapies in the management of psychological and / or somatic symptoms of cancer survivors. Method: A review of the literature reported in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and MedicLatina Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection in the period January 2009 to December 2013 was conducted.

Results: 24 articles were identified. Only 22 met the selection criteria; in 2 cases no access to the full articles was obtained, so only 19 were included. Statistically significant effects were identified in sleep difficulties, emotional symptoms, fatigue, quality of life, and post menopausal symptoms. Effect sizes were mostly small to moderate ranging from 0.00 - 1.40.

Conclusions: The effects of most psychological interventions were positive whether independent or in combination with other treatment modalities. Interventions via telephone and online therapeutic modalities also showed positive results.

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Published
2014-11-28
How to Cite
Galindo Vázquez Ó., Rojas Castillo E., Benjet C., Meneses García A., Aguilar Ponce J. L. y Alvarado Aguilar S. (2014). Effects of psychological interventions in cancer survivors: A review. Psicooncología, 11(2-3), 233-241. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_PSIC.2014.v11.n2-3.47385
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 2-3 (2014)
Section
Articles

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