Effects of Different Psychosocial Interventions on Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Cancer Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Jinhong Lu, Huina Mao, Guizhi Luo
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This network meta-analysis compared psychosocial interventions for fear of cancer recurrence in people diagnosed with cancer, using randomized controlled trials identified through searches up to March 2023. It included 21 trials with a cumulative sample of 2,634 participants. The analysis found that ConquerFear-HK was associated with a statistically significant reduction in fear of recurrence and ranked highest among the interventions assessed, with a SUCRA value of 99.2%. The authors concluded that it showed superior efficacy as a psychological treatment, although the abstract does not report the size of its effect.
Key findings
- The network meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials and 2,634 participants.
- ConquerFear-HK was associated with a statistically significant reduction in fear of cancer recurrence (SUCRA: 99.2%).
- ConquerFear-HK ranked highest for efficacy among the psychosocial interventions assessed.
Why it matters
Fear of cancer recurrence is a concern addressed by psychosocial care, and this analysis compares multiple approaches using evidence from randomized trials. Its ranking suggests ConquerFear-HK may be a promising option for reducing this fear. However, the abstract provides no effect-size estimate, so the clinical magnitude of the reported benefit cannot be judged from the information available.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not report the effect size or provide details on trial quality, intervention comparisons, or follow-up, limiting assessment of the magnitude and durability of benefit.