Abstract
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are frequently identified in cancer patients through the trajectory of their illness. Somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) has been theoretically recognised as a promising intervention for alleviating cancer-related anxiety and depression but the latest research evidence has not been systematically summarised yet.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the current research evidence on SAS for anxiety and depression management in cancer patients and identify directions for future research in this area.
Methodology: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A total of 13 electronic databases were searched to locate relevant RCTs exploring the effects of manual acupuncture or manual acupressure on anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Risk of bias of the included trials was evaluated by using the Risk of Bias Assessment Criteria developed by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Quantitative synthesis with RevMan 5.3 and descriptive analysis were utilised for outcome assessment.
Results: Eighteen RCTs were included. Quantitative synthesis results indicated that SAS can produce significantly better effects in relieving cancer-related anxiety and depression when compared with routine methods of care. A further subgroup analysis between the true SAS and sham SAS demonstrated statistically significant difference for cancer-related anxiety only, with the true intervention showing better outcomes. Descriptive analysis findings from most of the included studies indicated a better quality of life outcome in cancer patients following the completion of SAS treatment.
Conclusions: The systematic review concluded the latest research evidence to support SAS as a promising approach to managing cancer-related anxiety and depression. However, the evidence has not been fully conclusive given the unsatisfactory methodological issues identified in some of the included studies and the limited subgroup comparisons with relatively small sample size. More large-scale RCTs with rigorously-designed methods are needed to further strengthen the research evidence on SAS for managing cancer-related anxiety and depression.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the current research evidence on SAS for anxiety and depression management in cancer patients and identify directions for future research in this area.
Methodology: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A total of 13 electronic databases were searched to locate relevant RCTs exploring the effects of manual acupuncture or manual acupressure on anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Risk of bias of the included trials was evaluated by using the Risk of Bias Assessment Criteria developed by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Quantitative synthesis with RevMan 5.3 and descriptive analysis were utilised for outcome assessment.
Results: Eighteen RCTs were included. Quantitative synthesis results indicated that SAS can produce significantly better effects in relieving cancer-related anxiety and depression when compared with routine methods of care. A further subgroup analysis between the true SAS and sham SAS demonstrated statistically significant difference for cancer-related anxiety only, with the true intervention showing better outcomes. Descriptive analysis findings from most of the included studies indicated a better quality of life outcome in cancer patients following the completion of SAS treatment.
Conclusions: The systematic review concluded the latest research evidence to support SAS as a promising approach to managing cancer-related anxiety and depression. However, the evidence has not been fully conclusive given the unsatisfactory methodological issues identified in some of the included studies and the limited subgroup comparisons with relatively small sample size. More large-scale RCTs with rigorously-designed methods are needed to further strengthen the research evidence on SAS for managing cancer-related anxiety and depression.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jun 2021 |
| Event | 23rd Cancer Nurse Society of Australia Annual Congress - Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Australia Duration: 18 Jun 2021 → 18 Jun 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | 23rd Cancer Nurse Society of Australia Annual Congress |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| Period | 18/06/21 → 18/06/21 |
Keywords
- Alternative therapy
- Cancer care
- Symptom management
- Anxiety
- Depression
