Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies for caregivers of cancer patients: a scoping review
Bomi Hong, Sora Yang, Sojeong Hyeon, Sojeong Kim, Jiyeon Lee
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies October 11, 2023 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04186-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Caregivers of cancer patients |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Across 12 studies, third-wave CBT interventions for cancer caregivers most often used mindfulness (all 12 studies), with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy each applied in 3 studies. Most interventions (9) were dyadic, and digital delivery methods increased after 2017. Depression was the most commonly evaluated outcome (8 studies), followed by anxiety and mindfulness (6 each). The authors call for further randomized controlled trials with robust designs. |
Abstract
Background: Cancer caregivers extend comprehensive support covering all aspects of patients' daily lives. It has been reported that a significant proportion of cancer caregivers experience emotional distress. As one way to solve this problem, third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), which involves integrating acceptance and mindfulness into cognitive‒behavioral therapy, has been applied to improve caregiver outcomes.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted based on the scoping review guidelines proposed by the Jonna Briggs Institute (JBI). The population was caregivers of cancer patients, the concept was third-wave CBT, and the context remained open. English and Korean publications published from 2001 to June 2022 were identified from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Korea Med, and RISS.
Results: A total of 12 studies were included in this scoping review. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was the most frequently applied intervention (n = 3, each). Among the components of third-wave CBT, 'mindfulness' was identified in all the studies reviewed (n = 12). Dyadic interventions comprised the majority (n = 9). Interventions using digital technologies such as mobile application/web page (n = 3), telephone (n = 3), and FaceTime (n = 2) have increased since 2017. Depression was the most frequently evaluated outcome (n = 8), followed by anxiety and mindfulness (n = 6, each).
Conclusions: The current review explored available third-wave CBT intervention studies for cancer caregivers and targeted outcomes. Most of the interventions were dyadic interventions and utilized mindfulness. Delivery methods were continuously updated with digital technologies. Further RCTs with robust research designs and a synthesis of the results of the trials would provide evidence about how to effectively apply third-wave CBTs for cancer caregivers.
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for family carers of people with dementia Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews August 14, 2018
- Online Couple-Based Meditation Intervention for Patients with Primary or Metastatic Brain Tumors and their Partners: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Pain and Symptom Management February 13, 2020
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction added to care as usual for lung cancer patients and/or their partners: A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology December 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression Psychiatric Clinics of North America September 18, 2017