Phianmongkhol, Y., Thongubon, K., & Woottiluk, P. (2015). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for control of pain in lung cancer patients: An integrated review. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 16, 6033–6038. 

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To synthesize the evidence regarding effectiveness of cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) for pain in patients with lung cancer

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, DARE, ProQuest 5000, ScienceDirect, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. In addition, specific journals and various sources for unpublished studies were searched.
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients spoke English or Thai, had lung cancer and a life expectancy of at least two months, were experiencing cancer-related pain requiring opioids, and had a positive response to opioid medications and an average pain between 4–7 on a 0–10 scale
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with major psychiatric illness who had major surgery or other intervention within 30 days of the study

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 2,009
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Joanna Briggs methodology was used to assess study quality.

Sample Characteristics

  • FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 3
  • TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 211
  • SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 43–121 patients
  • KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with lung cancer as well as other tumor types

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
 
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

Results

The review included two studies that involved such interventions as distraction and relaxation and imagery rather than true CBT-approach interventions. No conclusions were drawn due to the lack of substantial evidence.

Conclusions

Very limited evidence exists regarding effects of CBT-type interventions for pain among patients with lung cancer.

Limitations

  • Limited number of studies included
  • Low sample sizes
  • Results of quality evaluation are not clearly provided.

Nursing Implications

This review showed there is little evidence to determine effectiveness of CBT for pain in patients with lung cancer.

Legacy ID

5863