Exploring Psychotherapy Approaches for Dyspnea: A Systematic Review Protocol

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychology
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Dyspnea affects over half of cancer patients, significantly impacting quality of life.
• Psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, often accompanies dyspnea.
• Nonpharmacological interventions, particularly psychotherapy, are increasingly recommended for managing cancer-related dyspnea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the evidence on four key psychotherapy techniques for managing dyspnea in cancer patients: mindful breathing, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation.
• To assess optimal delivery methods and evaluate the quality of existing research.
• To provide clinical recommendations for integrating these interventions into cancer care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA protocols across databases like PubMed.
• Inclusion of studies identified through reference lists and manual journal searches.
• Data extraction and quality assessment using a standardized form and the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool by four independent reviewers.

Main Results:

• Synthesis of evidence on the efficacy of specific psychotherapy techniques for dyspnea management.
• Evaluation of the quality and applicability of current research.
• Identification of optimal delivery methods for psychotherapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

• Psychotherapy offers a promising avenue for managing cancer-related dyspnea and associated psychological distress.
• Further high-quality research is needed to establish definitive clinical guidelines.
• Integration of evidence-based psychotherapy techniques can enhance the quality of life for cancer patients experiencing dyspnea.