Who benefits from an eHealth-based stress management intervention in advanced prostate cancer? Results from a randomized controlled trial

Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in advanced cancer patients: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

A systematical search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Chinese Biomedical Database, CNKI, VIP Database, and Wanfang database, and the search time was from the inception to May 26, 2023. Randomized controlled trials focusing on the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with advanced cancer were collected using relevant terms such as advanced stage, cancer, anxiety, depression, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB 2.0) tool, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software.

RESULTS

15 articles, including 1,597 patients, were included. Twelve of the studies reported the effect of CBT on anxiety symptoms in 1,485 advanced cancer patients; Fifteen studies reported the effect of CBT on depressive symptoms in 1,861 advanced cancer patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that CBT was effective in decreasing anxiety [SMD = -0.55, 95% CI (-0.82, -0.27), P < 0.001, I2 = 84%] and depressive symptoms [SMD = -0.38, 95% CI (-0.58, -0.17), P < 0.001, I2 = 78%] in patients with advanced cancer compared to controls, especially the interventions that were delivered lasted for 2-8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive behavioral therapy lasting for 2-8 weeks is effective for anxiety and depressive symptoms in advanced cancer patients to a moderate degree, but more rigorous research is needed to guide the choice between online and face-to-face delivery mode and the priority of self-guided versus therapist-guided interventions still needs to be studied.

A systematic review on the efficacy of CBT interventions for the mental and sexual health of survivors of prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most frequently diagnosed oncologic condition among biological men, affecting physical and psychological well-being, as well as sexual health and quality of life. Prior research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in addressing a range of psychological and sexual problems but also in improving the sexual and mental health of survivors of PCa.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to methodically research and summarize results concerning the efficacy of CBT in the mental and sexual health of survivors of PCa.

METHODS

A systematic search was carried out via electronic databases until August 2022 (EBSCO, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science). By combining specific search words and following the PRISMA checklist, we identified 15 eligible articles among 8616 initial records.

RESULTS

Four studies showed evidence of intervention efficacy for the improvement of sexual health, specifically for overall sexual function, erectile function, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction. Eight studies found intervention efficacy for the improvement of mental health dimensions, such as psychological distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence that CBT interventions have the potential to effectively promote mental and sexual health in survivors of PCa, but further research comprising larger and more diverse populations is needed. Future studies should focus on understanding mechanisms of change through CBT interventions to ensure the mental and sexual health of survivors of PCa.

Comorbidity burden and health-related quality of life in men with advanced prostate cancer

PURPOSE

Identifying clinically relevant comorbidities and their effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes among men with advanced prostate cancer (APC) can inform patient care and improve outcomes; however, this is poorly understood. The aim of this observational study was to examine the prevalence of comorbidities, and the relationship of comorbidity burden to HRQoL and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among men with APC.

METHODS

Participants were 192 men (average age 68.8) with APC (stage III or IV) who completed a psychosocial battery including measures of sociodemographic factors, HRQoL and other PROs, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between CCI, HRQOL, and PROs.

RESULTS

The vast majority (82%) of participants had at least one comorbidity, with the most common being: hypertension (59%), connective tissue disease or arthritis (31%), diabetes (24%), and problems with kidneys, vision, or another organ (24%). After controlling for covariates, regressions showed that a higher CCI score was significantly associated with worse HRQoL (p < 0.001), lower levels of positive affect (p < 0.05), and higher levels of depression (p < 0.05), fatigue (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.01), stress (p < 0.01), and cancer-specific distress (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities were common among men with APC, and a greater CCI score was associated with detriments in several domains of HRQoL and other PROs. Our findings show the need to address comorbidities in the presence of a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03149185.