Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
The effects of psychological interventions on suicide for cancer patients: a systematic review and network
Xinyue Zhang1, Dan Zhang2, Yuqi Liu1
1School of Nursing & Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
Numerous psychological interventions are available for suicidal and death ideation (SDI) and suicidal behavior among cancer patients. To identify the optimal psychological interventions for reducing SDI and suicidal behavior in cancer patients. However, it remains unclear which psychological intervention is the most effective. We performed a pairwise and network meta-analysis by searching seven databases from the date of inception until 8 April 2022. An important focus of this network meta-analysis was the comparison of the effects of various psychological interventions on the reduction of SDI and suicidal behavior among cancer patients. For determining efficacy, we used standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Besides, a pairwise meta-analysis, inconsistency test, network meta-analysis, the surface under the cumulative rankings curve (SUCRA), comparison-adjusted funnel plot, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were also carried out. A total of 8 studies involving 1,350 patients were searched in this study. It showed that empathy therapy (SUCRA = 95.3%) has the best effect among the six interventions. Comprehensive psychological intervention (SUCRA = 77.6%) was ranked in the top two positions, followed by meaning-centered therapy (SUCRA = 40.7%). Comparison-adjusted funnel plots revealed no significant publication bias. In addition, our conclusions have not changed significantly after the sensitivity analysis. In this network meta-analysis, empathy therapy was identified as the optimal choice for reducing SDI and suicidal behaviors in cancer patients. Further multi-center and high-quality RCT studies should be conducted to make our conclusion more rigorous.
Insights
Empathy therapy is the most effective psychological intervention for reducing suicidal and death ideation (SDI) and suicidal behavior in cancer patients, according to a network meta-analysis. Comprehensive psychological intervention also showed significant benefits.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Cancer patients frequently experience suicidal and death ideation (SDI) and suicidal behavior.
- A variety of psychological interventions exist, but their comparative effectiveness for this population is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the optimal psychological interventions for reducing SDI and suicidal behavior in cancer patients.
- To compare the efficacy of different psychological interventions through a network meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of seven databases was conducted until April 8, 2022.
- A pairwise and network meta-analysis was performed on 8 studies involving 1,350 cancer patients.
- Efficacy was determined using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with Surface Under the Cumulative Rankings Curve (SUCRA) used for ranking.
Main Results:
- Empathy therapy demonstrated the highest efficacy (SUCRA = 95.3%) among the six interventions evaluated.
- Comprehensive psychological intervention (SUCRA = 77.6%) and meaning-centered therapy (SUCRA = 40.7%) were also ranked.
- No significant publication bias was detected through comparison-adjusted funnel plots, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.
Conclusions:
- Empathy therapy is identified as the optimal psychological intervention for reducing suicidal and death ideation and suicidal behaviors in cancer patients.
- Further high-quality, multi-center randomized controlled trials are recommended to strengthen these conclusions.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
01:30Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
01:25Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...