Effectiveness of Posttraumatic Growth Interventions among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Although cancer is a debilitating experience, it can also increase meaning and satisfaction in one’s life.

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of interventions that aim to develop posttraumatic growth among cancer survivors.

Methods

Seven databasis were searched for relevant articles published between 2000 and 2020. The findings of randomized controlled trials related to interventions to effect posttraumatic growth of cancer survivors were included. Hedges’ g and 95% confidence intervals were computed to estimate the effect.

Results

The effect of the interventions on posttraumatic growth among cancer survivors were heterogeneous. The effect size was statistically significant (Tables 1,2).Table 1

	k	Total n	Hedges’g	SE	95% CI	z	p	Q Value	I2	Eggers t	Eggers p
Overall studies	t	715	1.761	0.484	[0.812, 2.709]	3.637	< 0.001	182.807	96.718	4.66	.871

Table 2

				Intervention Effect
Design	Studies	k	Total n	Hedges’g	SE	95% CI
RCT	Ochoa-Arnedo et al. (2020)	7	140	0.113	0.168	[-0.217, 0.443]
	Üzar-Özçetin & Hiçdurmaz (2019)		76	13.965	1.155	[11.700, 16.229]
	Kenne Sarenmalm et al. (2017)		114	0.423	0.189	[0.053, 0.793]
	van der Spek et al. (2017)		91	-0.161	0.208	[-0.569, 0.247]
	Yun et al. (2017)		174	0.331	0.162	[0.014, 0.648]
	Zhang et al. (2016)		58	2.033	0.321	[1.405, 2.662]
	Zernicke et al. (2014)		62	1.254	0.275	[0.715, 1.793]

Z = 3.637 P= < 0.001 SE = 0.484 Sd = 1.777

Conclusions

Posttraumatic growth interventions significantly increased posttraumatic growth among cancer survivors. Health care providers as the main sources of cancer care should be more focused on the achievement of positive outcomes.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.