Psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (PAYA) cancer survivors suffer from multiple domains of adverse psychosocial and behavioral outcomes during and after their cancer treatment. This study conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions for PAYA cancer survivors.

Methods We searched 11 electronic databases, 4 professional websites, and manual search of reference lists in existing reviews. We selected randomized controlled trials and controlled trials without randomization focusing on PAYA cancer survivors across six outcome domains.

Results We included 61 studies (4,402 participants) published between 1987 and 2020. Overall risk of bias across studies was low. We identified an overall moderate and statistically significant treatment effect size for PAYA cancer survivors across six outcome domains.

Conclusion psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions were overall effective for PAYA cancer survivors. However, interventions were not effective for certain outcome domains, and less effective among AYA versus pediatric cancer survivors.