Clayton B Hess1, Allen M Chen. 1. The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA; The University of Texas Southwestern-Austin Transitional Residency Program, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to systematically review the (1) prevalence, (2) risk factors, (3) interventions, and (4) measurement instruments associated with psychosocial function decline in radiation therapy (RT) patients. METHODS: A MEDLINE systematic literature review was performed to identify studies monitoring psychosocial function among RT patients as a primary endpoint. RESULTS: Fifty-seven and 22 risk factors for RT-related psychosocial function decline were identified and refuted, respectively, in 93 eligible studies representing 12,808 patients. Median prevalences of psychosocial function decline prior to, during, and following RT were 20%, 36%, and 25%. Prior to RT, anxiety was more prevalent than depression (20% vs 15%), but dropped following completion of RT, whereas median depression levels remained elevated (17% vs. 27%). Of the 79 identified risk factors, 17 were reported as predictive of psychosocial decline by two or more more studies, and five had robust support: (1) physical symptoms, (2) time point during RT, (3) chemotherapy reception, (4) female gender, and (5) younger age. Three interventions were consensually reported to improve psychosocial function: psychotherapy, nursing consultation/patient education, and self-management training. Eighty-six different assessment tools were used to monitor RT-related psychosocial function decline with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (25.8%) and the psychiatric interview (22.6%) being the most utilized. The distress thermometer has been used in 5 studies (5.4%) to date. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial function declines in approximately one-third of RT patients. Anxiety can dissipate after initiation of RT, whereas depression can persist throughout and after RT. Severe physical symptoms and time-related factors most robustly predict psychosocial function decline, which can be improved by psychotherapy and interventions aimed to improve patient education.
BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to systematically review the (1) prevalence, (2) risk factors, (3) interventions, and (4) measurement instruments associated with psychosocial function decline in radiation therapy (RT) patients. METHODS: A MEDLINE systematic literature review was performed to identify studies monitoring psychosocial function among RT patients as a primary endpoint. RESULTS: Fifty-seven and 22 risk factors for RT-related psychosocial function decline were identified and refuted, respectively, in 93 eligible studies representing 12,808 patients. Median prevalences of psychosocial function decline prior to, during, and following RT were 20%, 36%, and 25%. Prior to RT, anxiety was more prevalent than depression (20% vs 15%), but dropped following completion of RT, whereas median depression levels remained elevated (17% vs. 27%). Of the 79 identified risk factors, 17 were reported as predictive of psychosocial decline by two or more more studies, and five had robust support: (1) physical symptoms, (2) time point during RT, (3) chemotherapy reception, (4) female gender, and (5) younger age. Three interventions were consensually reported to improve psychosocial function: psychotherapy, nursing consultation/patient education, and self-management training. Eighty-six different assessment tools were used to monitor RT-related psychosocial function decline with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (25.8%) and the psychiatric interview (22.6%) being the most utilized. The distress thermometer has been used in 5 studies (5.4%) to date. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial function declines in approximately one-third of RT patients. Anxiety can dissipate after initiation of RT, whereas depression can persist throughout and after RT. Severe physical symptoms and time-related factors most robustly predict psychosocial function decline, which can be improved by psychotherapy and interventions aimed to improve patient education.
Authors: Yacob Habboush; Robert P Shannon; Shehzad K Niazi; Laeticia Hollant; Megan Single; Katherine Gaines; Bridget Smart; Nicolette T Chimato; Michael G Heckman; Steven J Buskirk; Laura A Vallow; Katherine S Tzou; Stephen J Ko; Jennifer L Peterson; Heather A Biers; Atiya B Day; Kimberly A Nelson; Jeff A Sloan; Michele Y Halyard; Robert C Miller Journal: Adv Radiat Oncol Date: 2017-03-20
Authors: Eida M Castro-Figueroa; Normarie Torres-Blasco; Milagros C Rosal; Julio C Jiménez; Wallesca P Castro-Rodríguez; Marilis González-Lorenzo; Héctor Vélez-Cortés; Alia Toro-Bahamonde; Rosario Costas-Muñiz; Guillermo N Armaiz-Peña; Heather Jim Journal: Nurs Rep Date: 2021-06-09