Patients with Lung cancer (LC) often live with persistent symptoms, including dyspnea, fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbance. Among them, dyspnea has physiological, emotional, and functional consequences and may be associated with a higher risk of demoralization. Using a structured integrative approach, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies published between January 2015 and June 2026, together with seminal theoretical literature. The final search was conducted on June 1, 2026. After deduplication, title/abstract screening, and full-text review, 128 publications were included, comprising observational studies, intervention studies, qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines. Direct evidence from LC populations, indirect evidence from mixed-cancer populations, and supplementary evidence related to dyspnea were synthesized narratively. Current evidence suggests that dyspnea may contribute to demoralization through symptom threat, reduced perceived control and self-efficacy, activity avoidance, functional decline, role restriction, impaired dignity, and erosion of meaning, although this pathway has not yet been tested in longitudinal or interventional studies. On this basis, we propose a conceptual dual-track, four-tier nursing framework in which symptom and functional management proceeds alongside psychological and existential support, with emphasis on dynamic assessment, tiered intervention, and specialist referral. The framework is presented as a hypothesis-generating model requiring empirical validation rather than an established evidence-based protocol. The framework may support earlier recognition of demoralization and more continuous care for patients with LC.
Cancer profoundly impacts patients’ psychological well-being, yet comprehensive synthesis regarding mental health symptoms and contributing psychosocial factors remains limited. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence published between 2000 and 2023 on the psychological outcomes experienced by cancer patients and their associated clinical and psychosocial drivers. Conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, electronic searches across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar yielded 24 eligible studies (23 peer-reviewed articles and one dissertation) in English and Turkish. Due to methodological heterogeneity, data were integrated using a narrative synthesis. Results revealed that depression, anxiety, general distress, adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress symptoms, fear of recurrence, and social isolation are highly prevalent throughout the continuum of care. Crucially, cancer-related stigma identified as a major psychosocial determinant, significantly compounding depressive symptoms, body image disturbance, reduced self-esteem, and social withdrawal. Furthermore, unaddressed distress directly impaired treatment adherence, coping mechanisms, and overall quality of life. These findings highlight that psychological assessment must be routinely integrated into standard multidisciplinary oncology care to enable early detection and targeted intervention. Future research should prioritize longitudinal methodologies and standardized evaluation tools to track symptom trajectories and test intervention efficacy.
In the original publication [1], there was an error in the authors’ order. The wrong authors’ order is: Wei Wei1,*, Yafang Wang1,2, Aifeng Song2, Lin Kang3, Jingjing Sun4 It should be updated to: Yafang Wang1,2, Aifeng Song2, Lin Kang3, Jingjing Sun4, Wei Wei1,*
Background: The perioperative period in oncologic surgery represents a physiologically vulnerable phase in the cancer care trajectory. Inadvertent hypothermia during surgery has been associated with impaired coagulation and increased susceptibility to postoperative complications, yet evidence specific to cancer populations remains incompletely synthesized. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of active perioperative warming interventions on surgical site infection (SSI) and intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing oncologic surgery. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) identified comparative studies assessing warming strategies in cancer surgery, with the final search conducted on January 15, 2026. Of 847 studies identified, six met eligibility criteria after duplicate removal and screening. Random-effects models using the Hartung-Knapp adjustment were applied to calculate pooled risk ratios for SSI and pooled mean differences for intraoperative blood loss. Risk of bias was assessed using Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) for randomized trials and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Results: Perioperative warming was associated with a statistically non-significant reduction in surgical site infection (risk ratio (RR) 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21 to 0.96; very low certainty evidence; two studies, 306 patients). For intraoperative blood loss, the pooled estimate demonstrated a statistically non-significant reduction favoring warming (mean difference (MD) −24.8 mL, 95% CI −58.3 to 8.7 mL; I² = 78.8%; very low certainty evidence; four studies, 345 patients), with sensitivity analysis indicating a statistically significant decrease after exclusion of a mechanistically distinct comparator (MD −42.3 mL, 95% CI −82.6 to −2.1 mL). Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that maintenance of perioperative normothermia may be associated with improved surgical outcomes in oncologic populations, although the certainty of evidence is low to very low. By reducing complication risk, perioperative warming could theoretically contribute to minimizing complication-related distress and supporting physical recovery during the postoperative period, although direct psychological outcomes were not assessed in the included studies. Given the limited evidence base, these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive.
Cancer survivorship often includes persistent psychological distress and heightened inflammation that may be interrelated. This systematic review examined whether Tai Chi benefits both domains and explored the potential psycho–immune associations that may connect them. Following PRISMA 2020, we applied Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study design (PICOS) criteria to identify studies of adult patients with cancer that used Tai Chi as the primary intervention and reported psychological outcomes and/or inflammatory biomarkers. Searches and screening yielded 14 eligible records, including randomized trials, controlled clinical trials, and cohort studies. Across breast, lung, and mixed oncology cohorts, Tai Chi was generally associated with improvements in resilience, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and quality of life, with frequent concurrent gains in sleep and fatigue. Several trials reported biologic changes suggestive of reduced physiological stress load, including lower or altered interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, decreased C-reactive protein in some studies, healthier diurnal cortisol rhythms, and improved heart rate variability. Studies that measured both psychological and biological outcomes suggested that symptom relief and biomarker shifts may occur together; however, the available evidence does not establish bidirectional causality or mediation. These findings suggest potential psycho–immune mechanisms in which improvements in resilience, autonomic balance, inflammatory activity, fatigue, and sleep disturbance may be interrelated. Feasibility was high in nurse-led, center-based, and telehealth formats. Heterogeneity in Tai Chi style, dose, and biomarker panels, along with modest sample sizes and limited follow-up, remains the main constraint. Current evidence suggests that Tai Chi appears to be a safe, feasible adjunct based on current evidence for supportive oncology that may be associated with improvements in psychological outcomes and, in some studies, immune-related outcomes, warranting larger, protocol-standardized trials with prespecified mediation analyses.
Chronic psychosocial stress, such as social isolation, is highly prevalent among cancer patients and has been associated with emotional disturbances including anxiety and depression as well as accelerated tumor progression and immune evasion through systemic remodeling of the neuro-endocrine-immune network. However, the key molecular bridge and actionable targets remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, using a murine model of social isolation stress established by 4-week single-cage housing in male C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 melanoma cells in the footpad, we investigated the role of β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂-AR) signaling in stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors and tumor immunosuppression. Our results demonstrated that socially isolated mice exhibited anxiety-like phenotypes, characterized by decreased exploration in the central zone of the open field and decreased open arm entries and time in the elevated plus maze, accompanied by lower serum norepinephrine and corticosterone levels, suggesting neuroendocrine alterations under prolonged chronic stress. Concurrently, tumor growth was accelerated in isolated mice, with decreased intratumoral CD8⁺ leukocyte infiltration and secretion of IFN-γ and granzyme B, as well as decreased splenic CD8⁺ leukocyte counts, whereas protein expression of β₂-AR, SOX10, and PD-L1 in tumor tissues was upregulated. Administration of the non-selective β-blocker propranolol (40 mg/kg, intragastric gavage for 8 days) was associated with improved anxiety behaviors, restored endocrine parameters, increased CD8⁺ leukocyte effector functions, decreased SOX10/PD-L1 expression, and reduced tumor growth while increasing thymic weight. However, co-administration of the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (2 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal injection) attenuated the effects of propranolol, with re-emergence of anxiety manifestations, immunosuppression, and rapid tumor progression, consistent with the involvement of β-adrenergic signaling. Collectively, social isolation stress is associated with melanoma progression and immune alterations via altered β₂-AR-mediated SOX10–PD-L1 expression while also being associated with anxiety-related behaviors; propranolol, through β-adrenergic blockade, demonstrated effects on emotional regulation and antitumor immune function, providing a preclinical basis for further investigation in melanoma patients with significant social isolation and psychological distress.
Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact of nursing interventions for psychological stress relief on the psychological recovery of patients after bladder cancer surgery. It compares different intervention measures in terms of improvement in anxiety, depression, and quality of life, to inform clinical nursing practice. Methods: A systematic search was conducted through the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed to compare changes in anxiety scores, depression scores, and quality of life scores between the intervention and control groups. RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software were used for analysis, assessing the overall effect of different interventions. Heterogeneity analysis, subgroup analysis, and bias assessment were conducted to evaluate the robustness and bias of the results. Results: The meta-analysis indicated that the intervention group showed significantly better outcomes in anxiety scores, depression scores, and quality of life scores compared to the control group. The combined effect size for anxiety score was SMD = −0.47 (P < 0.001), for depression score SMD = −0.42 (P < 0.001), and for quality of life score SMD = 0.51 (P < 0.001). Heterogeneity analysis revealed I2 values of 45.76% and 54.82% for anxiety and depression scores, respectively, and 30.15% for quality of life score. Sensitivity analysis showed that the conclusions remained robust after excluding individual studies. Conclusion: Nursing interventions aimed at relieving psychological stress have a significant effect on the psychological recovery of patients after bladder cancer surgery, particularly in reducing anxiety and depression and improving quality of life. The findings provide strong support for clinical nursing interventions.
Psychological distress is highly prevalent among cancer patients, especially during hospitalization and diagnostic evaluation. Ultrasound examinations are routinely performed at critical points in cancer care, yet the psychological status of hospitalized patients undergoing ultrasound evaluation remains insufficiently characterized. This cross-sectional study examined psychological distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among hospitalized cancer patients undergoing ultrasound examination at Longyou County People’s Hospital Chengdong New Campus. Standardized psychological assessments, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom assessment, and the Distress Thermometer, were administered, and ultrasound diagnostic findings were used to classify tumor systems. Malignancy type was categorized as primary or metastatic. Non-parametric statistical analyses, correlation analyses, and univariable regression were performed. Sixty patients with complete clinical and psychological data were included. Elevated levels of psychological distress were observed across the cohort. Psychological outcomes differed significantly across tumor system categories, whereas no significant differences were identified between primary and metastatic malignancy groups. Strong positive correlations were observed among anxiety, depression, PTSD-related symptoms, and overall distress. Within the primary malignancy subgroup, anxiety and depressive symptom severity was significantly associated with distress levels in univariable regression analysis. These preliminary findings suggest that hospitalized cancer patients undergoing ultrasound examination experience substantial psychological distress, with variability across tumor systems, supporting the integration of routine psychological screening into inpatient imaging-based oncology care.
Inpatient care for cancer patients is complex, influenced by tumor-specific clinical pathways, symptom burden, and psychosocial needs. Gastrointestinal (GI) and lung cancer patients may experience distinct hospitalization trajectories and nursing workload, yet comparative data remain limited. This study aimed to examine differences in inpatient care complexity between GI and lung cancer patients, with implications for psycho-oncology practice. A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Joint Logistics Support Force 903 Hospital from May 2016 to April 2018. Adult inpatients with confirmed GI (n = 21) or lung cancer (n = 15) diagnoses were included. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and nursing workload, proxied by nursing fees; discharge disposition was a secondary outcome. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U and chi-square) were used to compare groups. LOS and nursing fee distributions were visualized using linear and logarithmic boxplots. GI cancer inpatients exhibited greater variability in LOS (median 3.0 days, interquartile range [IQR] 1.0-5.0) and nursing workload (median 78.0 Chinese Yuan (CNY), IQR 26.0-130.0) compared with lung cancer patients, who showed higher median values but narrower distributions (LOS median 7.0 days, IQR 3.0-12.0; nursing fee median 208.0 CNY, IQR 78.2-382.8). Mann-Whitney U tests confirmed significant differences in LOS (U = 90, p = 0.002) and nursing fee (U = 84, p = 0.001). Discharge disposition differed between groups, with GI patients more frequently requiring rehabilitation or skilled nursing (chi 2 = 4.92, p = 0.027). Inpatient care complexity is tumor-specific, with GI patients demonstrating heterogeneous and prolonged hospitalizations, while lung patients experience more predictable yet resource-intensive stays. These findings underscore the importance of psycho-oncology-informed care, tailored nursing allocation, and targeted interventions to optimize both medical and psychosocial outcomes in oncology inpatients.
The quality of life for cancer patients has become a crucial indicator for assessing the effectiveness of treatment and the rehabilitation process. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the latest research advancements in oncopsychology and exercise science aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Additionally, it seeks to explore the practical application of interdisciplinary approaches in cancer rehabilitation. Through a thorough examination of relevant literature both domestically and internationally, this paper highlights the significant role of tumor psychology in helping patients adjust their psychological state, enhance treatment compliance, and strengthen mental resilience throughout the cancer treatment and rehabilitation process. Meanwhile, advancements in exercise science research, particularly breakthroughs in aerobic exercise and resistance training, provide a scientific basis for the recovery of bodily functions in cancer patients, the alleviation of treatment side effects, and the enhancement of their quality of life. Building on this foundation, this paper emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach that integrates psychological interventions with exercise therapy to create a comprehensive, personalized rehabilitation model. This model focuses not only on the disease itself but also on the overall well-being of the patient. The purpose of this study is to offer robust theoretical support for cancer rehabilitation by conducting an in-depth analysis of the application of oncopsychology and exercise science in clinical practice. Additionally, it aims to provide new perspectives on future research directions, to maximize the quality of life for cancer patients while respecting their differences. This study seeks to contribute new knowledge and insights to the field of cancer rehabilitation.
Cancer survivors often experience substantial psychosocial challenges following treatment, including reduced social connectedness and diminished self-efficacy. This study investigated the effects of a structured low-intensity basketball skills training program on psychosocial outcomes among cancer survivors. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 170 cancer survivors who had completed primary treatment within the previous 6-24 months. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 85) or a control group (n = 85). The intervention consisted of a 12-week basketball skills training program delivered twice weekly for 60 minutes per session, while the control group received standard care and physical activity recommendations. Assessments were performed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24-week follow-up using validated psychosocial measures. Compared with the control group, the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in social belonging (42.3 +/- 6.8 to 58.7 +/- 7.2 vs. 43.1 +/- 6.5 to 45.2 +/- 6.9; Cohen's d = 1.86, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (38.2 +/- 7.3 to 53.6 +/- 7.8 vs. 39.1 +/- 7.1 to 41.5 +/- 7.2; Cohen's d = 1.62, p < 0.001). Significant reductions in anxiety and depression, together with enhanced quality of life, were also observed. Improvements in social belonging and self-efficacy were strongly correlated (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that structured team-based basketball interventions may provide an effective and sustainable strategy for improving psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivorship care.
Cancer survivors face substantial psychological burdens including anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life that persist beyond treatment completion, yet traditional clinic-based interventions often inadequately address the experiential and environmental dimensions of psychological recovery. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize existing evidence on the psychological benefits of wellness tourism for cancer survivors, elucidate underlying therapeutic mechanisms, and identify factors influencing intervention effectiveness. Comprehensive searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO for publications from January 2010 to October 2024, with studies selected based on predetermined eligibility criteria encompassing adult cancer survivors participating in wellness tourism experiences with validated psychological outcome measures. The synthesis revealed consistent evidence supporting significant psychological benefits across multiple domains, with effect sizes reported across individual included studies ranging from moderate to large for anxiety reduction (Cohen's d = 0.48–0.89), depression amelioration (d = 0.52–0.91), quality of life improvement (d = 0.41–0.78), perceived stress reduction (d = 0.55–0.82), and post-traumatic growth enhancement (d = 0.38–0.67). Three interconnected therapeutic mechanisms were identified: environmental restoration through natural immersion and cognitive respite, social-interpersonal pathways facilitating peer support and community belonging, and mind-body-spirit integration encompassing holistic wellness practices. Intervention effectiveness was modulated by individual characteristics, program duration, and accessibility factors, with programs exceeding 14 days demonstrating superior sustained benefits. This review establishes wellness tourism as a promising complementary approach within comprehensive cancer survivorship care, warranting integration into clinical practice and further investigation through rigorous randomized controlled trials.
Purpose Music therapy (MT) and dance/movement therapy (DMT) each demonstrate efficacy in alleviating psychological distress among cancer patients, yet no quantitative synthesis has examined whether their combined multimodal delivery produces synergistic benefits beyond either modality alone. This review aimed to evaluate the independent and combined effects of MT, DMT, and multimodal arts therapy (MMAT) on anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult cancer patients, and to test whether combined MMAT confers a statistically significant synergistic advantage over standalone modalities. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for controlled studies published between 2019 and 2024. Eligible studies enrolled adult cancer patients receiving MT, DMT, or combined MMAT interventions with a comparison condition. Two independent reviewers screened records (κ = 0.82–0.79) and extracted data. Pooled Hedges' g effect sizes were computed under random-effects models using REML estimation. Differential effects across intervention modalities were examined via mixed-effects meta-regression with modality entered as a categorical moderator variable. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale; publication bias was evaluated by Egger's test and trim-and-fill. Results Eleven studies (n = 4,346 participants) were included. Standalone MT produced moderate effects on anxiety (Hedges' g = −0.61), depression (g = −0.54), and HRQoL (g = 0.47). Standalone DMT yielded smaller but significant effects across the same outcomes (g = −0.48, −0.41, and 0.38, respectively). Combined MMAT generated large pooled effects across all three primary outcomes—anxiety (g = −0.89; k = 3 studies), depression (g = −0.79; k = 3 studies), and HRQoL (g = 0.71; k = 2 studies, as one MMAT trial did not report this outcome)—with statistically significant differential advantages over each standalone modality indicated by meta-regression interaction testing (all p < 0.05), a pattern consistent with additive or potentially greater-than-additive effects. Egger's test indicated no significant publication bias. Conclusions Combined music-dance multimodal arts therapy produces clinically meaningful psychological benefits that consistently exceed those observed for either modality delivered in isolation, with a pattern of effect-size increments compatible with additive or greater-than-additive modality interaction. Integrated MMAT programmes of eight or more weeks, delivered in group formats by trained arts therapists, are recommended as a component of multimodal supportive oncology care. Adequately powered multi-arm randomised trials with neurobiological outcome measures are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and magnitude of the observed differential benefit.
Psychological distress is highly prevalent among pediatric oncology patients during hospitalization and may adversely affect emotional well-being and clinical care. This prospective pre–post observational study examined changes in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress coinciding with psychosocial support among hospitalized pediatric oncology patients, and explored associations between length of hospital stay and baseline psychological symptoms. The study was conducted in the Pediatrics Department of Longyou County People’s Hospital and included pediatric oncology inpatients aged 1–14 years. Psychological outcomes were assessed at admission and after psychosocial support using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer. Changes in psychological outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (reporting Z values), and Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine associations between length of hospital stay and baseline psychological measures. A total of 29 patients were included. Significant reductions were observed in depressive symptoms (Z = -4.70, 95% CI for change: 4.5 to 7.5, P < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (Z = -4.71, 95% CI for change: 4.0 to 7.0, P < 0.001), and psychological distress (Z = -4.69, 95% CI for change: 2.0 to 4.0, P < 0.001) coinciding with the provision of psychosocial support. Length of hospital stay was not significantly correlated with baseline depression, anxiety, or distress scores. Strong positive correlations were observed among baseline measures of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. These findings indicate that improvements in emotional well-being coincided with the delivery of psychosocial support during inpatient pediatric oncology care; however, due to the observational pre-post design without a control group, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Baseline psychological burden appears independent of hospitalization duration, underscoring the importance of routine psychological screening and psychosocial care for hospitalized pediatric oncology patients.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women globally, with rising incidence and mortality. While advances in treatment have improved survival rates, psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, body image disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction remain prevalent. These effects are exacerbated by treatment-related physical side effects like fatigue and pain. This review explores the psychological impact of breast cancer treatments, underlying biological mechanisms, and effective intervention strategies. Psychosocial interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, peer support, and physical activity, have shown promise in mitigating these issues. Personalized psychological care is essential to improving quality of life and clinical outcomes. Future research should focus on refining intervention strategies to better integrate psychological support into comprehensive breast cancer care.
Cancer is associated with significant psychological burdens, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and a decline in quality of life. Psycho-oncological outcomes are shaped by the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, necessitating personalized and multidisciplinary approaches. In recent years, there has been growing interest in whether genetic variations in enzymes such as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) may modulate psychological responses in cancer patients. Correspondingly, due to epigenetic effects in cancer patients, nutraceutical compounds such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and curcumin are noteworthy for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and are being investigated for their potential interactions with the COMT/MAO pathways. Preclinical and mechanistic studies suggest that these compounds may influence neurotransmitter metabolism, gene expression, and stress responses. However, direct clinical studies assessing their effects on psychological outcomes by COMT/MAO genotype are quite limited. The aim of this review is to evaluate the relationships among COMT and MAO polymorphisms, nutraceutical interventions, and antidepressants (particularly SSRIs and MAO inhibitors) commonly used in psycho-oncological patients. This review positions COMT and MAO based nutrigenetic approaches alongside psychotropic drug use as a promising but still developing field; it emphasizes the need for more robust and direct clinical evidence to safely and effectively translate these approaches into clinical practice. In this context, personalized strategies that go beyond standard approaches, considering genetic variations, individual biochemical responses, and nutraceutical interactions together, may be more rational and effective; therefore, the need for a personalized approach in this field is increasingly recognized.
Cancer represents a significant global public health challenge, posing not only a serious threat to the physical health of individual patients but also resulting in extensive mental and psychological distress for both patients and their families. Within the framework of the subject matter, conducting interventions to help the patient mentally and socially, has come to be a key part of the cancer treatment process by relaxing the psychological suffering, improving the quality of life and increasing the treatment compliance. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the psychosocial nursing interventions in the field of the cancer care with the addition of some innovative ways of helping patients to feel more powerful. This paper comprises a thorough review of the already published literature to bring to light the distinct value of patient empowerment among the skills of self-management, communication between patients and healthcare providers, and a patient being active in decision-making. The point is to lay down a sturdy scientific basis for clinical nursing practice but also to indicate the potential fields of research to be explored in the future. Also, the contents of the paper are dealing with the issues linked with the implementation of patient empowerment, are the findings about their effectiveness and the anticipated trends for their forthcoming developments. The intention of this debate is to contribute towards theoretical as well as practical innovation within the domain of psychosocial interventions in cancer care.
Death is the natural endpoint of life, and cancer patients, due to the high mortality rate of their condition, often exhibit heightened awareness of death. While this awareness frequently leads to a significant reduction in their motivation to live, the impact of awareness of death on meaning in life and its underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. Based on Self-Determination Theory, this study investigates the chain mediational roles of mindfulness and death reflection in the relationship between awareness of death and meaning in life among breast cancer patients. Specifically, we recruited 404 breast cancer patients to explore how awareness of death influences meaning in life through mindfulness and death reflection. The results reveal that breast cancer patients' awareness of death, mediated by mindfulness and death reflection, can effectively enhance their sense of meaning in life. Among these, awareness of death was found to positively influence meaning in life in breast cancer patients. This study expands the research boundaries of Self-Determination Theory and addresses gaps in previous studies exploring the relationship between awareness of death and meaning in life. These findings provide valuable measures and suggestions for healthcare providers to enhance both the sense of meaning in life and quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Background: In recent years, the mental health problems of rural elderly cancer patients in China have become prominent. Social interaction has received increasing attention as an important means of alleviating depression. However, there are studies on the relationship between social interactions and mental health of rural elderly cancer patients that have not yet reached uniform conclusions. This study provides empirical research to inform strategies for reducing depression risk and improving mental health among rural elderly cancer patients in China. Methods: Descriptive statistics and empirical analyses were conducted using StataSE 15 based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2020. Multiple linear regression and robust regression models were used to assess the impact of social interaction. Results: A total of 6574 rural elderly cancer patients were surveyed. The mean score on the CES-D depression scale was 10.754. Regression analysis showed that financial support from children, social participation, and social networks all significantly reduced the probability of psychological problems among rural elderly cancer patients (p < 0.001). In-home medical services is a “catalyst” for negative emotions and exacerbates mental health problems in rural elderly cancer patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions: To improve the mental health of rural elderly cancer patients and promote the implementation of the “Healthy China” strategy. There is a need to rationalize in-home medical services and to ensure that the positive effects of social support are maximized by increasing the financial support capacity of children, creating conditions for the social participation of rural elderly cancer patients and broadening rural social networks.
Psychosocial distress among oncology patients is heterogeneous and shaped by clinical context, yet tumour characteristics and treatment exposure are seldom integrated into psychosocial care considerations in inpatient oncology nursing. This retrospective observational study analysed routinely collected administrative and clinical records of hospitalised oncology patients to describe tumour types and treatment patterns and explore their implications for psychosocial care considerations. The study did not include direct psychosocial outcome measures (e.g., distress, anxiety, depression, or validated screening tools); therefore, findings describe clinical context rather than quantified potential psychosocial concerns. Tumour diagnoses were categorised as benign or malignant and further grouped by organ system where applicable, while treatment exposure during hospitalisation was classified by modality, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Descriptive analyses and cross-tabulation were conducted without constructing psychosocial proxy measures. Lung tumours constituted the most prevalent tumour group and were represented across all systemic treatment modalities, with immunotherapy exposure occurring predominantly among patients with lung malignancies. Secondary malignant involvement of lymph nodes, bone, and liver was also frequently associated with chemotherapy and targeted therapy, reflecting advanced or metastatic disease profiles, whereas benign tumours demonstrated minimal exposure to systemic treatments. These tumour-treatment distributions highlight marked variation in treatment intensity across hospitalised oncology populations. The findings suggest that tumour types and treatment patterns form distinct clinical profiles that may provide meaningful contextual information to inform nursing awareness for psychosocial care considerations during hospitalisation, rather than serving as direct measures of psychosocial outcomes.] [Revised] Leveraging routinely available tumour and treatment data may support psychosocially informed oncology nursing assessment, potentially enabling earlier recognition of patients who could benefit from further psychosocial evaluation and more targeted supportive care within inpatient settings.
