Psychological interventions for cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder: narrative review

This narrative review updates the evidence base for cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Databases were searched in December 2021, and included EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO and PubMed. Adults diagnosed with cancer who had symptoms of PTSD were included.

The initial search identified 182 records, and 11 studies were included in the final review. Psychological interventions were varied, and cognitive-behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing were perceived to be most efficacious. The studies were also independently rated for methodological quality, which was found to be hugely variable.

There remains a lack of high-quality intervention studies for PTSD in cancer, and there is a wide range of approaches to managing these conditions, with a large heterogeneity in the cancer populations examined and methodologies used. Specific studies designed with patient and public engagement and that tailor the PTSD intervention to particular cancer populations under investigation are required.