The need for supportive mental wellbeing interventions in bladder cancer patients: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objectives There is an increased awareness of the effect of a bladder cancer diagnosis and its treatments on the mental wellbeing of patients. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of interventions to improve this mental wellbeing. This systematic review is the first phase of the Medical Research Council Framework for developing complex interventions and provides an overview of the published mental wellbeing interventions that could be used to design an intervention specific for BC patients. Methods This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines in January 2019 and studies were identified by conducting searches for Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Ovid Gateway. All included studies met the following criteria: mental wellbeing interventions of adults with medically confirmed diagnosis of any type of urological cancer, reported outcomes for specific HRQoL domains including psychological factors. The quality of evidence was assessed according to Down and Black 27-item checklist. Results A total of 15,094 records were collected from the literature search and 10 studies matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, nine interventions were for patients with prostate cancer and one for patients with kidney cancer. No studies were found for other urological cancers. Depression was the most commonly reported endpoint measured. Of the included studies with positive efficacy, three were group interventions and two were couple interventions. In the group interventions, all showed a reduction in depressive symptoms and in the couple interventions, there was a reduction in depressive symptoms and a favourable relationship cohesion. The couple interventions were the most feasible and acceptable, but further research was required for most of the studies. Conclusion While awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing in bladder cancer patients is growing, this systematic literature review highlights the gap of feasible and acceptable interventions for this patient population.

‘I Had It. I Don’t Think I Have It…But I Do Feel It Will Come Back Somewhere’: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experience of People With Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

“…Delay of emotional responses was also documented. It may be that a needs-led stepped care psychological approach, utilising evidence-based psychological interventions (Bessa et al, 2021), would be a useful adjunct for some individuals. Watchful waiting could help identify patients who may benefit from therapeutic interventions (Russell et al, 2022).…”

What Do Patients and Their Carers Do to Support the Safety of Cancer Treatment and Care? A Scoping Review

“… 30 Studies with staff participants also did not find any mental health resources being accessed by or recommended to patients. This is particularly concerning because various reviews have found access to mental health services and interventions to be critical to cancer patients 33 , 34 ; indeed, research has estimated more than half of cancer patients experience depression. 35 , 36 In addition, while patients expected to undertake a share of responsibility for their care, many felt excluded and outside the treatment management sphere.…”

Mental Health in Urologic Oncology

“…In a literature review of over 15,000 records, it was distilled down to 10 studies fitting the criteria analyzing the feasibility and acceptance of interventions for mental health in urological cancer patients. 60 The 10 studies focused on patients with either prostate or kidney cancer leaving more room and further study for BC patients specifically. What was of interest is the patients who had symptoms of depression positively benefited from either group intervention or couples' intervention.…”

“…Each type of intervention demonstrated a decrease in symptoms of depression, but the size of the data is a possible limiting factor and one to consider for additional research. 60 Furthermore, BC treatments have the potential to yield undesirable effects on patient's sexual organs and mental wellbeing. More research is needed to formalize quantifiable psychological metrics for patients' sexual health following BC treatment.…”