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. 2024 Sep 17:15:1408941.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1408941. eCollection 2024.

Effects of a reminiscence therapy-involved program on anxiety, depression, and the quality of life in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Xingliang Sun  1 , Wenlian Su  1 , Mengyue Yin  1 , Ling Xia  1
Affiliations

Effects of a reminiscence therapy-involved program on anxiety, depression, and the quality of life in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Xingliang Sun et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Objective: Reminiscence therapy is increasingly being utilized for cancer patients to address psychological pressure and enhance their quality of life. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effect of a reminiscence therapy-involved program (RTIP) on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in cancer patients.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases until December 2023 to screen randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of RTIP and control care.

Results: A total of 16 RCTs published from 2013 to 2023 were included, with 1,963 cancer patients undergoing RTIP with or without control care (RTIP group, N = 984) or control care (control group, N = 979). The results showed the the anxiety score [standardized mean differences (SMD) = -0.539; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.700, -0.378; P < 0.001], anxiety rate [relative risk (RR) = 0.736; 95% CI: 0.627, 0.865; P < 0.001], depression score (SMD = -0.664; 95% CI: -0.967, -0.361; P < 0.001), and depression rate (RR = 0.632; 95% CI = 0.532, 0.750; P < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the RTIP group compared to the control group. Furthermore, overall quality of life was increased in the RTIP group than in the control group (SMD = 0.501; 95% CI: 0.314, 0.689; P < 0.001). In digestive system cancer patients, anxiety/depression scores and rates were reduced, and the overall quality of life was elevated in the RTIP group in comparison with the control group (all P < 0.050). The quality of evidence was generally high, with a low risk of bias in most studies and no publication bias in any outcomes (all P > 0.050).

Conclusion: RTIP attenuates anxiety and depression and improves the quality of life in cancer patients, benefitting their overall health condition.

Systematic review registration: This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024563266.

Keywords: anxiety and depression; cancer patients; meta-analysis; quality of life; reminiscence therapy-involved program.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The risk of bias was evaluated using standard Cochrane criteria. Detailed (A) and overall (B) risk of bias in the included studies.
Figure 3
Figure 3
RTIP with or without control care reduced anxiety in cancer patients. Forest plot for the effect of RTIP on anxiety score (A) and anxiety rate (B) in cancer patients.
Figure 4
Figure 4
RTIP with or without control care reduced depression in cancer patients. Forest plot for the effect of RTIP on depression score (A) and depression rate (B) in cancer patients.
Figure 5
Figure 5
RTIP, with or without control care, elevates the overall quality of life of cancer patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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