Nurse-Led Interventions and Outcomes in Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly used to treat malignant and non-malignant hematologic diseases and is associated with complex physical, psychological, and informational needs. Nurses play a central role in HCT care; however, the range, characteristics, and reported outcomes of nurse-led interventions have not been comprehensively synthesized. This review aimed to identify the types and outcomes of nurse-led interventions in adult HCT recipients and highlight gaps in evidence. Methods: The review was initially registered as a systematic review and was refined to a scoping review before final synthesis because of substantial heterogeneity in the available evidence. Studies involving adults undergoing or having received HCT were included if they evaluated interventions initiated, delivered, or coordinated by nurses and reported at least one clinical or patient-reported outcome. Multiple databases and grey literature (2015-2025) were searched. Study selection and data charting were performed independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, mostly from high-income countries. Nurse-led interventions included pre-transplant preparation, education, symptom management, physical activity and nutrition support, psychosocial care, navigation, survivorship follow-up, and advance care planning. Several studies reported improvements in self-efficacy, physical activity, symptom burden, and advance care planning documentation; however, findings for overall quality of life, infection rates, and long-term recovery were limited or inconclusive. Conclusions: Evidence on nurse-led interventions across the HCT trajectory remains limited. The mapped studies provide promising preliminary findings in selected outcome domains but are insufficient to establish intervention effectiveness. Future research should develop and evaluate rigorously designed, adequately powered, longitudinal, and multicomponent nurse-led interventions, including in resource-limited settings.