A Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients with Chronic Diseases
Li Dong, Li Li, Yunlian Wu, Xiaoling Zhao, Hui Zhong, Xi Cheng, Lixia Liu, Changxia Cheng, Mingqiu Ouyang, Liande Tao
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 5, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-024-10262-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with chronic diseases |
| Interventions | Evidence-based meaning-centered psychotherapy Dignity therapy Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy |
| Keywords | Chronic disease Demoralization Patients Psychological intervention Systematic review Psychological-interventions Chronic-illness-management Mental-health-therapy Patient-wellbeing Clinical-outcomes |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | Meaning-centered psychotherapy and dignity therapy show the best empirical support for reducing demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. |
Abstract
Abstract Background Demoralization, a significant mental health concern in patients with chronic diseases, can have a large impact on physical symptom burden and quality of life. The present review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for demoralization among patients with chronic diseases.
Method: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Research on providing interventions to patients with chronic diseases that included quantitative data on demoralization was then systematically reviewed.
Results: Fourteen studies were included, most of which considered demoralization as a secondary outcome. Interventions included evidence-based meaning-centered psychotherapy, dignity therapy, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, and others. Ten studies used randomized controlled designs. Six of these investigated evidence-based meaning-centered therapy, and four investigated dignity therapy, showing the best empirical support for these intervention types. Most studies showed significant impacts on demoralization in patients with chronic diseases.
Conclusion: This systematic review provides insights into potential psychological interventions for reducing demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. Randomized controlled designs and adequately powered samples, with demoralization as the primary outcome, are needed to more clearly evaluate its effectiveness.