Nervenheilkunde 2011; 30(03): 133-137
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1627785
Psychoonkologie
Schattauer GmbH

Psychooncological interventions

How successful are they? Article in several languages: deutsch | English

Authors

  • H. Faller

    1   Institut für Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, Universität Würzburg
  • P. Herschbach

    2   Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München
Further Information

Publication History

Eingereicht am: 26 September 2010

angenommen am: 14 October 2010

Publication Date:
23 January 2018 (online)

Summary

In this paper, a selective literature review on the efficacy of psychooncological interventions is performed. Among psychological interventions for cancer patients, supportiveexpressive (psychodynamic) and cognitivebehavioural treatments, as well as structured psycho-educational interventions, have gained the most attention. These therapeutic approaches appear to differ less in their thematic contents, but rather in techniques used, particularly in the degree of structuring. Although evidence exists for the general effectiveness of psychooncological interventions, literature reviews arrive at somewhat inconsistent conclusions. Meta-analyses report effect sizes ranging from small to large effects. Structured psychoeducational interventions seem to be most successful. Increased self-efficacy, higher self-esteem, and less intrusive thoughts have been identified as factors mediating the effects of psychoeducational interventions on emotional well-being and quality of life.