Feasibility and acceptability of study methods and psychosocial interventions for body image among women diagnosed with breast cancer: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Abstract

ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to summarize evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for body image among women diagnosed with breast cancer and the study methods used to evaluate the interventions in question.MethodsArticles were identified via MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, PsychINFO, and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were: (1) peer‐reviewed publication in English from 2000 onward with accessible full‐text, (2) reported data on the feasibility and/or acceptability of psychosocial interventions and/or study methods, (3) included at least one measure of body image or reported a body‐related theme, and (4) sample comprised women diagnosed with breast cancer. All study designs were eligible. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment.ResultsSixty‐two articles were included. Participants and comparator groups varied as did interventions. Feasibility and acceptability of the interventions and study methods were inconsistently operationalized and reported across studies. Evidence of feasibility and acceptability was heterogeneous within and across studies, though mostly positive.ConclusionPublished psychosocial interventions for body image and study methods are generally feasible and acceptable. Findings should be used to advance the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions designed to improve outcomes (body image or otherwise) for women diagnosed with breast cancer.Systematic review registrationThis review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; ID: CRD42021269062, 11 September 2021).