A Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients with Chronic Diseases
Li Dong, Li Li, Yunlian Wu, Xiaoling Zhao, Hui Zhong, Xi Cheng, Lixia Liu, Changxia Cheng, Mingqiu Ouyang, Liande Tao
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 5, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-024-10262-w via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review of 14 studies found that psychological interventions, particularly meaning-centered psychotherapy and dignity therapy, can reduce demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. Most studies treated demoralization as a secondary outcome, and ten used randomized controlled designs. Six of these investigated evidence-based meaning-centered therapy, and four investigated dignity therapy, showing the best empirical support. The review concludes that randomized controlled trials with demoralization as the primary outcome and adequate sample sizes are needed to more clearly evaluate effectiveness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with chronic diseases |
| Interventions | Evidence-based meaning-centered psychotherapy Dignity therapy Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy |
| Keywords | Chronic disease Demoralization Patients Psychological intervention Systematic review |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key finding | Meaning-centered psychotherapy and dignity therapy show the best empirical support for reducing demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. |
Abstract
Abstract Background Demoralization, a significant mental health concern in patients with chronic diseases, can have a large impact on physical symptom burden and quality of life. The present review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for demoralization among patients with chronic diseases. Method PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Research on providing interventions to patients with chronic diseases that included quantitative data on demoralization was then systematically reviewed. Results Fourteen studies were included, most of which considered demoralization as a secondary outcome. Interventions included evidence-based meaning-centered psychotherapy, dignity therapy, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, and others. Ten studies used randomized controlled designs. Six of these investigated evidence-based meaning-centered therapy, and four investigated dignity therapy, showing the best empirical support for these intervention types. Most studies showed significant impacts on demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. Conclusion This systematic review provides insights into potential psychological interventions for reducing demoralization in patients with chronic diseases. Randomized controlled designs and adequately powered samples, with demoralization as the primary outcome, are needed to more clearly evaluate its effectiveness.