Effects of Cognitive Training and Social Support on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Few studies have evaluated the effects of cognitive training and social support on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the efficacy of cognitive training and social support in colorectal cancer patients and survivors. Methods: The PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched from database establishment until August 2021 to identify suitable studies according to relevant key words, taking cancer-related fatigue and quality of life as the outcomes. The Jadad scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Stata 15.1 software was used for statistical analyses, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Eleven studies (6 published in English and 5 published in Chinese) involving 980 patients and survivors were included in the meta-analysis. All studies had Jadad scores ≥3. Statistically significant effects of cognitive training and social support were detected for cancer-related fatigue within 14 weeks (SMD = −1.13, P < .001) and after 14 weeks (SMD = −0.56, P < .001), overall quality of life within 14 weeks (SMD = 0.73, P < .001) and after 14 weeks (SMD = 0.54, P = .003). However, no statistically significant effects of the combination intervention were detected on long-term QOL (SMD = 0.50, P = .435). Conclusions: Distinct cognitive interventions and a combination of cognitive and social support interventions can help to alleviate long-term and short-term CRF and short-term QOL. Further studies are needed to examine the mechanisms of cognitive training and social support for cancer-related fatigue and overall quality of life in patients and survivors with colorectal cancer.

The relationship between meaning of life, perceived social support, spiritual well-being and pain catastrophizing with quality of life in migraine patients: the mediating role of pain self-efficacy

“…Also, indirectly perceived social support through mediation of pain self-efficacy has a significant relationship with quality of life (B = 0.022). These results are consistent with findings of De Maria et al [ 49 ]; Costaet al [ 25 ], and Kever et al [ 21 ]; Ren et al [ 50 ]; Kucukakca et al [ 24 ]; Qi et al [ 51 ]; Aydın, and Demir [ 22 ]; and Dun, et al [ 52 ]. In explaining this result, due to humans are inherently social and need a secure and social environment to survive, illness are serious threats to active community interaction and confidence to competencies [ 21 , 24 ].…”

“…The results of recent studies such as Majernikova and Obrocnikova [ 17 ] in cancer patients; Park et al[ 46 ], Barsaei et al [ 47 ], and Liu et al [ 48 ] in patients with heart failure; showed a significant relationship between meaning of life and quality of life. Findings of DeMaria et al [ 49 ] in patients with multiple chronic diseases; Costa et al [ 25 ], and Kever et al [ 21 ] in patients with multiple sclerosis; Ren et al [ 50 ] in patients with chronic wounds; Qi et al [ 51 ] in patients with type 2 diabetes; Aydın, and Demir [ 22 ], and Dun et al [ 52 ] in cancer patients; indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between social support and quality of life. Wysocka et al [ 53 ] have shown that there is relationship between meaning of life, spirituality and quality of life in patients under the end-of-life care.…”

Trajectories and risk factors of fatigue following colorectal cancer diagnosis

“…Drugs such as methylphenidate [43, 44] and interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy [45, 46] have been shown to improve fatigue in cancer patients and survivors and help them achieve the best possible quality of life after CRC diagnosis. Early implementation of evidence‐based fatigue management strategies and care options will benefit patients during and after cancer therapy [47–50]. Our findings, along with the existing evidence [8, 37, 51], are in accordance with guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network that call for initiating early screening for fatigue and continual monitoring of fatigue until treatment completion.…”

Fatigue and associated factors among adult cancer patients receiving cancer treatment at oncology unit in Amhara region, Ethiopia

“…Patients who had poor support from their families, neighbors, and friends was supported by studies conducted in Iran [63], and China [50]. This is due to that social support in terms of emotional (feeling love and having the certainty someone to trust), instrumental (availability of immediate help), and informational (receiving advice) are beneficial for improving physiological symptoms and therapeutic effects [64,65].…”