Oncology · 2 h ago
Psychosocial interventions linked to improved cancer survival in meta-analysis
An updated meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials involving 4,795 adults with cancer found psychosocial interventions were associated with better overall survival than control conditions. The result was modest overall, with stronger estimates in studies of patients treated with curative intent; moderate heterogeneity limits interpretation.
- 24 randomized trials included 4,795 patients.
- Overall survival favored psychosocial interventions (SHR 0.87).
- Curative-intent studies showed a larger estimated benefit.
- Moderate heterogeneity limits conclusions about who benefits.
Researchers searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL through December 2025 for randomized controlled trials comparing overall survival in adults with cancer receiving psychosocial interventions or control care. The meta-analysis included 24 trials and 4,795 patients, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 18 years. The investigators pooled summary hazard ratios using a random-effects model; some estimates were derived from Kaplan-Meier curves where not reported directly.
Psychosocial interventions were associated with improved overall survival (summary hazard ratio [SHR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77–0.99; I²=45%). In 12 studies involving patients treated with curative intent, the SHR was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.64–0.87; I²=20.9%). Estimates also favored interventions in two colorectal cancer studies (SHR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48–0.99) and studies with interventions lasting at least 12 months (SHR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72–0.99).
The findings suggest a possible survival benefit in addition to established psychosocial benefits for emotional well-being and quality of life. Moderate heterogeneity, subgroup findings based on limited numbers of studies, and the lack of individual-patient data constrain conclusions about which patients may benefit. The authors note that an individual patient-level meta-analysis could help clarify this.
In practice
For adults with cancer, this meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials suggests psychosocial interventions may be associated with improved overall survival compared with control conditions. The pooled estimate was modest, and the larger estimate in patients treated with curative intent came from a subgroup analysis. Moderate heterogeneity and limited numbers in some subgroups mean the results do not identify which patients or interventions are most likely to benefit, and they do not establish a specific intervention as standard cancer treatment.
AI-generated clinical interpretation · Not editor-reviewed
Is this summary clinically accurate?
Help fellow clinicians: your rating sends inaccurate summaries straight to our editors.
Sign in to rate this summary →Source
JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute: Impact of psychosocial interventions on cancer survival: an updated meta-analysis ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.