PLOS ONE Medicine&Health

Impact of technology- and parent-based psychosocial interventions on family dynamics factors in children with cancer: A systematic review

by Yilin Zhang, Zitong Zhang, Yunyun Peng, Wanting Zhang, Guiyuan Ma, Sulan Lin, Carmen W.H. Chan, Ankie Tan Cheung, Jianhui Xie, Can Gu

This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of technology- and parent-based psychosocial interventions on family factors among children with cancer, focusing on family dynamics.

Data were sourced from ten databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Sinomed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL) up to August 2024. The PRISMA statement guidelines, the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool, and the non-randomized controlled trial risk bias assessment tool were used in this study and experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023435402).

Twelve studies, including seven randomized controlled trials and five quasi-experimental studies, involving 1,309 parents of children with cancer, were included in the review. These studies utilized various theoretical models and delivered interventions through different modes, such as Internet-based platforms and telehealth. Overall, technology- and parent-based interventions have demonstrated positive effects on family dynamics factors, including family function, communication, coping ability, and family burden.

Technology- and parent-based psychosocial interventions showed promise in enhancing family dynamics factors although intervention methods varied across studies. This review recommends larger-scale randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of technology- and parent-based psychosocial interventions on family dynamics factors among this vulnerable population and highlights the potential of such interventions to improve care quality, treatment outcomes, and resource allocation in pediatric oncology.

Journal of Clinical Nursing

Effects of Cancer Rehabilitation Interventions for Women Treated for Gynaecological Cancers: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

ABSTRACT

Aim

To analyse and synthesise current evidence on the effectiveness of cancer rehabilitation interventions in increasing physical activity, increasing healthy dietary habits, alleviating psychological distress, and increasing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women treated for gynaecological cancers (GCs).

Design

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Sources

A systematic search was conducted in 12 databases from inception to 31 May 2024.

Review Methods

The quantitative results from comparable RCTs were pooled and meta-analysed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The results from non-comparable (i.e., clinically heterogeneous) RCTs were narratively summarised. The methodological quality of all RCTs was assessed using Version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials.

Results

Nine RCTs reported in a total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and comprised a total of 418 patients. The interventions had significant effects on total physical activity levels at post-intervention, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up, and on self-efficacy in physical activity at post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. However, the interventions did not significantly improve overall HRQoL or healthy dietary habits and did not significantly alleviate anxiety and depression. The key intervention components were information provision on health-promoting behaviours; adoption of behavioural change techniques (goal setting, action planning, relapse prevention, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and social support); and stress and emotion management.

Conclusion

Rehabilitation interventions effectively increase physical activity in women treated for GCs, leading to sustainable effects. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions in improving overall HRQoL, encouraging healthy eating, and alleviating psychological distress in women treated for GCs.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This review found that rehabilitation interventions can increase physical activity levels among women treated for GCs. It also identified the key effective components of such interventions.

Reporting Method

This review is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement.

Patient or Public Contribution

None.

Trial Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration number: CRD42023442877