Psychotherapies for clients with physical health conditions: A scoping review of demographic reporting.

Abstract

Recent research has highlighted the importance of investigating the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with physical health conditions. To date, there is evidence that psychotherapeutic interventions are efficacious for a range of physical health conditions (e.g., cancer, obesity, and diabetes). However, less is known about for whom psychotherapeutic interventions for physical health conditions are effective. One reason for this might be pervasive underreporting of demographic data in research, despite the National Institute of Health's 2016 call to action to include such information. Specifically, studies that fail to report full demographic data of participants may reinforce inequities for historically and societally marginalized groups that are traditionally underrepresented in health research; function to restrict researchers from identifying nondiverse, unrepresentative samples; and limit the capacity for future research to address such limitations. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review of reported demographic data in randomized clinical trials of psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer, obesity, and diabetes. We aimed to identify the frequency and type of demographic data in reported sample characteristics from 2016 to the present. Findings revealed that, on average, studies reported approximately 5 of the 8 demographic domains of interest (M = 5.1; SD = 1.24; range 3-7)age, sex assigned at birth, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, education, mental health status-suggesting that researchers are not reporting demographic data regularly or consistently. The current article discusses the implications of underreporting demographic data for external validity and provides suggestions for future research directions. Clinical Impact StatementQuestion: What is the frequency that clinical health researchers report demographic data in cancer, obesity, and diabetes psychotherapy research? Findings: Historically underrepresented groups are disproportionately underrepresented in health research, suggesting a lack of clarity on the validity and support of psychotherapy interventions for such groups. Meaning: Comprehensively reporting demographic data will illustrate the full extent of disparities in psychotherapy health research; thus, addressing such disparities stands to increase generalizability to underrepresented groups. Next Steps: Finalize reporting guidelines for psychotherapy health research and address barriers to reporting demographic data in research.

Common practices for sociodemographic data reporting in digital mental health intervention research: a scoping review

“…The remaining domains (sex, race, ethnicity, employment, marital status and income level) were reported between 10% and 42% of the time. Similar proportions of limited sociodemographic reporting have been described in reviews of the broader clinical research literature 29 30. For example, Orkin and colleagues found over 98% reporting of age and gender or sex, but only 48.5% for race or ethnicity,33 nearly identical to our findings here.…”

“…Finally, there was a near total absence of reporting on sexual orientation, with just 2% of studies reporting on this domain. The omission of reporting for marginalised sexual and gender identities has also been demonstrated by Kimber and colleagues 30 in a review of psychological interventions for physical health and by Pachinkis and colleagues in a review of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) affirming mental healthcare. 56 Despite these gaps in reporting and representation, it has become clear that the LGBTQ+ community experiences social stigma, rejection, violence and discrimination—all factors that contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidal ideation.…”

“…Growing knowledge of these issues has led to numerous calls to action, beginning in the early 1990s, to improve the representation of marginalised groups in clinical research from agencies around the globe such as the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Union’s International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) 24–28. Despite these efforts, one persistent barrier to a greater understanding of sample diversity is the limited reporting of sociodemographic information in clinical research 29–32. For example, in a cross-sectional study of sociodemographic reporting in a subselection of clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2014 to 2020 in five top medical journals, Orkin et al found that while age and descriptors of sex or gender were reported by nearly 99% of the 237 included studies, only 48.5% provided a descriptor of race or ethnicity, and all other sociodemographic domains assessed were reported in fewer than 15% of studies 33.…”

“…[24][25][26][27][28] Despite these efforts, one persistent barrier to a greater understanding of sample diversity is the limited reporting of sociodemographic information in clinical research. [29][30][31][32] For example, in a cross-sectional study of sociodemographic reporting in a subselection of clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2014 to 2020 in five top medical journals, Orkin et al found that while age and descriptors of sex or gender were reported by nearly 99% of the 237 included studies, only 48.5% provided a descriptor of race or ethnicity, and all other sociodemographic domains assessed were reported in fewer than 15% of studies. 33 Inconsistent reporting of sociodemographic characteristics of clinical research samples hampers efforts to improve the inclusivity and diversity of clinical research and risks harm to members of marginalised communities (eg, from misinterpretation of results).…”

Addressing health in psychotherapy from a community wellness framework: Introduction to the special section.

“…The final article in this part of the section by Kimber et al (2022) focuses on research on psychotherapeutic interventions for people with physical health conditions. Specifically, they investigate the gaps in demographic reporting for participants, thereby decreasing our ability to identify for whom such interventions are effective.…”