Emotion Regulation Interventions for Cancer Patients and Their Relatives: A Systematic Review.

emotion regulation; intervention; oncology; patients; relatives; systematic review; Humans; Neoplasms/psychology; Neoplasms/therapy; Emotional Regulation; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods; Family/psychology; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Family; Neoplasms; Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging; Cancer Research

Abstract :

[en] [en] BACKGROUND: Emotional regulation (ER) is crucial for the psychological well-being of patients with cancer and their relatives. Various ER interventions exist but often suffer from poor adherence and high attrition rates. AIMS: This systematic review aims to identify ER interventions for patients with cancer and their relatives, describe their content, development, and evaluation methods, and assess their efficacy on ER and psychological health outcomes. METHODS: Cochrane, Embase, PsycArticles, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched. Eligible studies examined individual interventions targeting ER (Intervention) in adult patients with cancer and their relatives (Population), included a control group or a pre-post assessment (Comparator), and reported outcomes related to ER or psychological health outcomes using quantitative or mixed-method results (Study type). RESULTS: Eight studies were included. Most interventions were theoretically grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and followed a similar structure: informational sessions, skill-building modules using targeted therapeutic techniques, and consolidation via homework and relapse-prevention exercises. Despite high attrition rates, most interventions significantly improved ER and psychological outcomes. Some trials lacked statistical significance, mainly due to methodological limitations. Although acceptability was rarely assessed, evidence suggests patient-relatives dyadic approaches may better meet participant needs. CONCLUSION: ER interventions share common features and show effectiveness but sometimes lack alignment between objectives and evaluated outcomes. Retention remains a major challenge, emphasizing the need to redesign interventions and their implementation. Future research should explore attrition causes and develop strategies to enhance engagement.

Disciplines :

Treatment & clinical psychology

Author, co-author :

Naeyaert, Ambre ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Fournier, Valentyn ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France ; Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada ; Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Caton, Laura ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Gandolphe, Marie-Charlotte ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Duprez, Christelle ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Laroussi-Libeault, Lisa ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Vander Haegen, Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la santé

Antoine, Pascal ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Lamore, Kristopher ; Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193-SCALab-Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, Lille, France

Language :

English

Title :

Emotion Regulation Interventions for Cancer Patients and Their Relatives: A Systematic Review.

Publication date :

February 2026

Journal title :

Cancer Medicine

eISSN :

2045-7634

Publisher :

John Wiley and Sons Inc, United States

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

e71514

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/cam4.71514

Funders :

NCI - National Cancer Institute
ULille - Université de Lille

Funding text :

This work was funded by the French National Cancer Institute (Institut National du Cancer, grant no. INCA/16136) in collaboration with the Universit\u00E9 de Lille, the SCALab laboratory, the ONCOLille Institute, and the Centre Oscar Lambret that support the research chair opsyrii \u201Cinnovations in psycho-oncology and intervention research.\u201D

Available on ORBi :

since 03 June 2026

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