Exploring Psychotherapy Approaches for Dyspnea: A Systematic Review Protocol

Dyspnea, a common and debilitating symptom, affects over half of the patients with cancer, with increasing frequency and severity as the end of life approaches. It substantially affects the daily lives of patients by contributing to anxiety, depression, fatigue, and reduced physical activity, ultimately diminishing their quality of life. Although pharmacological treatments remain standard, nonpharmacological interventions, including psychotherapy, are increasingly recommended owing to their safety and accessibility. Psychotherapy is particularly relevant for alleviating psychological distress associated with dyspnea; however, research on its efficacy in managing dyspnea among patients with cancer is limited. This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on the following four key psychotherapy techniques for managing dyspnea: mindful breathing, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation. The review will assess the optimal delivery methods, evaluate the quality of existing studies, and provide clinical recommendations for implementing these interventions in cancer care.

This review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols. A systematic search will be conducted on some databases such as PubMed. Relevant studies will also be identified through reference lists and manual searches of key journals. The search terms will include keywords related to dyspnea and psychotherapeutic techniques. Four independent reviewers will screen and assess the articles, extracting data using a standardized charting form. The quality of the studies will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool. The results will be summarized via a psychotherapeutic technique, providing a comprehensive overview of the interventions and their applicability.