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Mind-body therapies (MBTs) can reduce depression, fatigue, and pain in women with gynecologic cancers, according to a new study published in Cancer Nursing.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of MBTs on quality of life (QOL), as well as anxiety, depression, cancer-related pain, and fatigue, among women with gynecologic cancers.
A search of 7 databases for relevant randomized controlled trials produced 9 trials that met the study criteria for these meta-analyses. The 9 trials, comprising a total of 383 participants, were conducted between November 2000 and April 2019, and included MBTs such as breathing exercises, music therapy, relaxation exercises, and yoga. Both in-person and video-delivery options were included.
The meta-analysis assessing quality of life (QOL), which included 5 studies with 220 participants, showed a statistically insignificant effect with a large effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.83%; 95% CI, −0.11 to 1.77; Z =1.73, P =.08), compared with usual care. Similarly, the data from 5 studies and 216 participants assessing anxiety showed a statistically insignificant reduction in scores with a moderate effect size (SMD, −0.46; 5% CI, −0.94 to 0.02; Z =1.87, P =.06).
However, a benefit was uncovered regarding depression, pain, and fatigue. The meta-analysis of 2 studies with 86 participants found a significantly reduced incidence of depression among the patients who received MBTs (SMD, −0.56; 95% CI, −1.01 to −0.11; Z =2.45, P =.01).
The researchers pooled the data on the effectiveness of MBTs on fatigue and cancer-related pain in comparisons with the effects of usual care. They recorded statistically significant differences in both factors.
The quality of evidence in this work was low as a result of high heterogeneity and high risk of bias in the studies.
These results demonstrate the effectiveness of MBTs in reducing depression, cancer-related pain, and fatigue in women with gynecologic cancer, concluded the researchers.
“Healthcare professionals may consider using MBTs as an additional strategy to help patients relieve depressive mood and cancer-related pain and fatigue. However, because of the low quality of evidence, the findings should be interpreted with caution, and future trials with good study designs are needed to support the current evidence.”
Ong JW, Ong QO, Metsävainio T, Vaajoki A, Tian JL, He HG. The effectiveness of mind-body therapies for women with gynecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Nurs. Published April 24, 2023. doi:10.1097/NCC.0000000000001231
