Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology: Interventions Across the Disease Trajectory

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the fields of psychosocial and integrative oncology, highlighting common psychological reactions to being diagnosed with and treated for cancer, including distress, anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence and caregiver burden, as well as symptoms of fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbance. Patterns of symptomatology across the disease continuum are also discussed. Interventions targeted at treating these symptoms are reviewed, including acceptance-based and mindfulness therapies, mind-body therapies, and meaning-based approaches designed for people with advanced stages of disease, including psychedelic therapy. Common methodological issues and shortcomings of the evidence base are summarized with design recommendations, and a discussion of trends in future research including pragmatic research design, digital health interventions, and implementation science completes the article. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Psychology, Volume 74 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Stress Management Interventions to Facilitate Psychological and Physiological Adaptation and Optimal Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients and Survivors

“…These include supportive expressive therapy (SET) ( Spiegel et al 1989 ) targeting existential issues; palliative care interventions targeting symptom and pain management ( Temel et al 2010 ); and physical exercise interventions targeting physical activity, strength, and aerobic fitness ( McNeely et al 2006 ). Because the effects of physical-based and mindfulness-based SMIs in cancer patients are covered in a separate review in this volume ( Carlson 2023 ), we will focus mostly on the CBT-based SMI approaches (which often include CBT and relaxation techniques) and their effects on psychological adaptation, physiological adaptation, and clinical health outcomes. Interested readers are also referred to other recent narrative and quantitative reviews that summarize the biological and clinical health effects of some of these other intervention approaches in cancer patients and survivors ( Chang et al 2022 , Eckerling et al 2021 , Mirosevic et al 2019 ).…”

Nutrigenomics and Integrative Medicine: Shaping the Future of Cancer Management

“…Mind-body interventions are complementary and integrative health, focusing on integrating mind, body, and behaviour. These techniques can promote relaxation through the mind-body connection and support overall health and well-being [20,21]. Cancer patients have found some success with treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, relaxation techniques, spinal manipulation, tai chi, and yoga.…”

“…Cancer patients have found some success with treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, relaxation techniques, spinal manipulation, tai chi, and yoga. Psychological and physical well-being among cancer survivors and patients have been shown to be equilibrated by these practices [7,14,20].…”

“…Moreover, the manufacturers do not have to prove the product's efficacy to particular conditions. Also, they need to do more profound research that evaluates the safety dose, significance testing, appropriate outcomes, effect sizes, biomarkers of effect, and the differences between statistical and clinical significance [9,20]. According to Bergamin et al, there needs to be more information about long-term studies to support nutraceuticals' effectiveness in handling disease risk factors or disease cures.…”

A broken circadian clock: The emerging neuro-immune link connecting depression to cancer

“…Furthermore, tumor-induced inflammatory cytokines can activate indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase to disrupt tryptophan metabolism that is needed for synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays an important role in inhibiting depression ( Bortolato et al, 2017 ). Psychologically, patients who are faced with a diagnosis of cancer and its treatment usually experience painful emotional reactions that can develop into clinical depression ( Carlson, 2022 ). Moreover, psychosocial factors including perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness mediate depressive symptoms in cancer patients ( Tripp et al, 2020 ).…”