Psycho-oncologie is a multidisciplinary scientific journal focused on the psychosocial, behavioral, and ethical aspects of cancer. Its goal is to integrate psychological, psychiatric, behavioral, family, and social dimensions of individuals who are dealing with cancer. The journal is aimed at oncologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and other oncology care personnel. It covers various topics related to the psychosocial aspects of cancer, including quality of life, palliative care, supportive care, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, philosophy, social work, and nursing. This French/English-language bilingual journal with an international scope publishes four issues per year, featuring articles in both French and English. Psycho-oncologie welcomes articles on methodology, clinical research, meta-analyses or reviews of the scientific literature, case studies and clinical observations, reading notes, and comments from fields such as medicine, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and other human sciences dealing with cancer patients, their relatives, and caregivers.
Starting from Volume 19, 2025, Psycho-oncologie will be published by PiscoMed Publishing. As of 16 December 2024, new submissions should be made to the Open Journal Systems. To view your previous submissions, please access TSP system.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4593
by Rui Ou
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 198 Views
Despite growing interest in psychosocial interventions for cancer patients, existing supportive care approaches often insufficiently address embodied emotional expression during the early phase following diagnosis. This study investigates the potential of expressive dance as a performative and body-based healing practice to support emotional recovery after cancer diagnosis. Using a controlled intervention design, standardized psychological scales, behavioral ratings, and physiological indicators were employed to evaluate the effects of expressive dance on emotional recovery outcomes. The findings reveal that expressive dance facilitates emotional release, enhances self-awareness, and reconstructs patients’ sense of agency by integrating bodily movement with emotional meaning-making. Unlike conventional verbal or cognitive interventions, this approach emphasizes performative healing through embodied expression, offering a novel psychosocial pathway for emotional support in psycho-oncology. These results highlight the unique therapeutic value of expressive dance and suggest its potential integration into holistic cancer care frameworks.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5487
by Yuyue Liao
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 65 Views
Background: Cancer survivors’ psychological recovery requires not only medical treatment but also psychological support and lifestyle interventions. Wellness tourism, particularly sports tourism, can improve psychological states while promoting physical health. However, mechanisms through which digital tourism marketing influences psychological recovery remain inadequately studied. Objective: To explore how digital tourism marketing affects cancer survivors’ wellness tourism motivation and analyze the mediating role of sports tourism participation in psychological recovery (psychological well-being and resilience). Methods: Questionnaire data were collected from 386 cancer patients in recovery at a tertiary hospital. Structural Equation Modeling tested direct effects of digital tourism marketing on wellness tourism motivation and mediating effects of sports tourism participation. Bootstrap method was used for mediation testing, and multi-group analysis compared differences across recovery stages. Results: Digital tourism marketing significantly enhanced wellness tourism motivation ( β = 0.52, p < 0.001). Sports tourism participation positively affected psychological well-being ( β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and psychological resilience ( β = 0.38, p < 0.001), partially mediating the relationship between wellness tourism motivation and psychological recovery. Multi-group analysis revealed stronger path coefficients for early-stage survivors (<6 months) compared to late-stage survivors (>12 months). Conclusion: Digital tourism marketing improves cancer survivors’ psychological well-being and resilience by stimulating wellness tourism motivation and promoting sports tourism participation. This study provides theoretical foundations and practical guidance for wellness tourism product design, psychological interventions, and digital marketing strategy development for cancer survivors.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4158
by Yin Tang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 64 Views
A cancer diagnosis is a serious condition that has a substantial impact on an individual’s emotional and psychological well-being, and their general health. This burden is more profound for cancer patients living in rural regions, where access to psychological support checks, advanced medical facilities, and community-based resources is restricted. The research aims to analyze the viability and tolerability of a novel psychological support intervention that combines rural literature and media innovation to tackle the exclusive challenges faced by cancer patients. A mixed-methods approach is employed, with a pre-and post-intervention survey and semi-structured interviews to assess the intervention’s impact on psychosocial well-being. The intervention is an 8-week media innovation (interactive digital tools) and literature-based intervention designed to address common cancer-specific stressors. A total of 31 participants, including both cancer survivors and those undergoing active treatment. Qualitative feedback from participants is collected through interviews and textual data, while quantitative data assesses changes in psychosocial well-being. The findings showed a post-intervention significant decrease in depressive symptoms and psychological distress, along with non-significant increases in mindfulness and Quality of Life (QoL). This research highlights the potential of combining media innovation and literature-based interventions to improve psychological support for cancer patients, particularly in rural settings, while also emphasizing the need for enhanced community engagement and access to digital resources.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4594
by Shengnan Dai
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 51 Views
Based on a sociological perspective, this study employed a randomized controlled trial to recruit 120 cancer patients, who were allocated to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received a 12-week music-vocal activity intervention in addition to routine rehabilitation care, while the control group received routine care only. Six outcome indicators were assessed: social isolation, perceived social support, frequency of social activities, vocal self-efficacy, quality of life in the social functioning dimension, and group cohesion. Results showed that all indicators in the experimental group improved significantly compared with baseline and with the control group ( P < 0.001), with the greatest improvements observed at 12 weeks. Intention-to-treat analyses with multiple imputation for missing data confirmed the robustness of the findings. The study demonstrates that systematic music and vocal activities can effectively reduce social isolation, enhance perceived social support, promote social participation, and improve both quality of life and group cohesion by strengthening patients’ self-efficacy and group identity. These results provide a promising pathway for social reconstruction during cancer rehabilitation.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4165
by Hutong Tian, Wenmei Dong, Hongjun Jin, Jialiang Guo, Yanrong Li
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 58 Views
Students diagnosed with benign tumors often experience psychological stress and social isolation, which can adversely affect their emotional well-being. Traditional sports games, which are culturally important and promote physical activity, offer a potential intervention to alleviate stress and improve social support. The research discovers the role of traditional sports games in relieving psychological stress and improving social support for students with benign tumors. A total of 131 students diagnosed with benign tumors were divided into two groups: the intervention group (IG) ( n = 91), which participated in traditional sports games, and the Control group (CG) ( n = 40), which continued with their regular activities without engaging in sports games. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was utilized to evaluate psychological stress, while the Social Support Scale (SSS) measured the level of social support received by participants, concentrating on emotional, informational, and instrumental support. The statistical analysis utilized IBM SPSS software version 29. The data were analyzed utilizing statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and correlation analysis. The IG attained positive outcomes across all factors, with emotional support at 90%, the group perceived cohesiveness at 88%, self-efficacy at 80%, 82% for informational support, 75% for instrumental support, and 68% for psychological stress1. Traditional sports games and team bonds facilitate positive interactions among students. This mode promotes emotional interaction, facilitating social interaction where players support and encourage each other through play, which helps them communicate emotionally. Consequently, these enjoyable social dynamics facilitate lowering psychological stress and a sense of community among students having benign tumors, which enhances our students’ psychological well-being. The results indicate that the IG displayed an important reduction in psychological stress, with developed PSS and SSS scores. Reductions in stress and anxiety, as well as increases in self-efficacy, were significantly correlated with group perceived cohesiveness. Traditional sports games help reduce stress and improve social support for students with benign tumors by fostering peer relationships, building a sense of community, and improving emotional well-being with health-focused programs.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5460
by Leilei Gao, Qun Shen, Jingqian ang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 64 Views
Objective: To investigate the effects of psychological nursing combined with palliative care on psychological stress and quality of life in elderly patients with malignant tumors. Methods: A total of 120 terminally ill elderly patients with malignant tumors were randomly assigned to an observation group ( n = 60) or a control group ( n = 60). The control group received palliative care, whereas the observation group received psychological nursing in addition to palliative care. Psychological stress and quality of life were compared between groups after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, employing t -tests or χ 2 tests as appropriate. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity, pain beliefs, and the impact of pain on activities, along with increased satisfaction with pain control. The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group ( P < 0.05). Quality-of-life scores increased significantly in both groups, with larger improvements in the observation group ( P < 0.05). Sleep indicators also improved: actual sleep duration increased, sleep latency shortened, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores decreased, with more pronounced changes in the observation group ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, scores for anxiety (HAMA), depression (HAMD), cancer-related fatigue, and dignity-related dimensions (social support, spiritual peace, independence, psychological status, and symptom distress) all decreased significantly in both groups, with greater reductions in the observation group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Psychological nursing combined with palliative care significantly reduces psychological stress, relieves pain, improves cancer-related fatigue, enhances sleep quality, and promotes dignity among terminally ill elderly patients with malignant tumors. This integrated approach shows considerable clinical value.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4232
by Xiaoliang Liu, Lehai Lin, Fei Yang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 129 Views
O bjective : To explore the types of motivation, adherence influences, and their interaction mechanisms of physical activity participation among patients in cancer rehabilitation and serve as a fundamental groundwork for devising tailored behavioral intervention strategies and enhancing adherence. M ethods : A mixed research method was used to include 300 patients recovering from breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Quantitative analyses were conducted through the revised physical activity Motivation Inventory (EMI-2) and adherence logs, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 patients, and the data were integrated by using latent category analysis (LCA), multiple regression, and phenomenological analysis. R esults : Patient motivations were categorized as health maintenance (45.67%), social engagement (30.33%), and medically driven (24.00%); self-efficacy ( β = 0.32, p = 0.007) and the identification of core predictors, notably family support ( β = 0.25, p = 0.021); and the qualitative interviews revealed that medical guidance (76.67%) and digital tools (53.33%) were key facilitators, while physical fatigue (63.33%) was the main barrier. Adherence scores were significantly higher in health maintenance patients (72.31 ± 12.14 vs. 58.93 ± 18.29, p < 0.001). C onclusion : Physical activity behavior of patients in cancer rehabilitation is driven by both intrinsic motivation and external support, and the construction of a “doctor-patient-family-community” triadic support system can improve long-term adherence, and future research needs to deepen the intervention strategy by combining metabolic-immune mechanisms.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4348
by Ni Zhou, Mulan Li, Pinggui Gong, Cui He, Hong Peng
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 85 Views
Background: Radiochemotherapy and subsequent rehabilitation impose significant psychological burdens on nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, who often experience anxiety and depression that undermine treatment compliance and quality of life. Previous studies suggest social support and coping styles can buffer psychological distress during cancer treatment; however, longitudinal research examining their dynamic impact during radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation remains scarce. Objective: This study explored the impact of social support and coping styles on changes in anxiety and depression among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation, providing a basis for individualized psychological interventions. Methods: A prospective cohort design was adopted. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were administered before radiochemotherapy (T0), mid-treatment (T1), treatment completion (T2), and one month post-treatment (T3). Tumor stage and economic burden were also recorded. Changes in anxiety, depression, social support, and coping strategies were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA, while linear mixed-effects models evaluated the longitudinal influence of social support and coping styles. Results: Among 180 patients (107 males, 73 females; mean age 51.7 ± 7.2 years), anxiety scores significantly decreased from 6.39 ± 0.94 (T0) to 4.79 ± 0.68 (T3) (F=20.371, P<0.001); depression scores similarly decreased from 6.02 ± 0.68 to 4.63 ± 0.57 (F=18.426, P<0.001). Social support and positive coping increased significantly, while negative coping decreased (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed social support (B=−0.08, P<0.001) and positive coping (B=−0.12, P<0.001) were associated with reduced anxiety and depression, whereas negative coping and economic burden correlated positively (all P<0.01). Stratified analysis confirmed patients with high social support and strong coping skills exhibited consistently lower anxiety and depression (P<0.05). Conclusion: Strengthening social support networks and promoting positive coping strategies effectively reduce anxiety and depression during radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, enhancing treatment compliance and emotional well-being.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4234
by Dong Wang, Huizhen Wu, Jing Tang, Shan Mo, Ruhong Zhou, Hong Li, Yixing He, Xu Zhang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 84 Views
Background: Postoperative pain and negative emotions are common in elderly patients with gynecological malignancies. High-quality evidence is lacking on how to achieve effective analgesia and psychological improvement during gasless laparoscopic surgery. Objective: To explore the effects of quadratus lumborum block combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness training on postoperative pain control, relief of negative emotions, and functional recovery in this population. Methods: A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 120 elderly patients with gynecological malignancies meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group or control group. In the intervention group, quadratus lumborum block and multidimensional psychological intervention were applied perioperatively, in addition to routine analgesia and health education. The primary outcomes included pain scores at 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Opioid consumption and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) bolus counts within 48 h were recorded. Secondary outcomes were postoperative changes in SAS and SDS scores, functional recovery, and complications. Statistical methods were used to analyze differences between groups. Results: Pain scores in the intervention group at 24 and 48 h postoperatively were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05, repeated-measures ANOVA). Total opioid consumption and PCA bolus counts within 48 h were significantly reduced ( P < 0.01, t -test). SAS and SDS scores decreased more significantly at 24 and 48 h postoperatively in the intervention group ( P < 0.05, t -test). Times to ambulation and first flatus and defecation were significantly shorter ( P < 0.05, t / U test), and hospital stay was reduced ( P < 0.05, t -test). SF-36 scores before discharge were higher than in the control group ( P < 0.05, t -test), but no significant difference in complication rates was observed ( P > 0.05, χ 2 or Fisher test). Conclusion: Quadratus lumborum block combined with multidimensional psychological intervention effectively reduced postoperative pain, decreased opioid requirements, improved anxiety and depression, and promoted functional recovery and quality of life, proving to be safe and feasible.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4119
by Fanrong Hu, Lan Guo, Zhihua Luo, Mingli Zeng
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 50 Views
Background: Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma often experience anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions, which not only affect treatment compliance but also significantly reduce their quality of life. Exploring effective nursing intervention strategies to improve patients’ psychological state and enhance prognostic levels has become an important issue in clinical practice. Objective: To investigate the effects of specialized nursing based on cognitive behavioral intervention on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, providing evidence-based support for clinical nursing interventions. Methods: A single-center, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial design was used from January 2022 to December 2023 in the Hematology Department of Chengdu Shang Jin Nan Fu Hospital. A total of 128 diagnosed patients were recruited and randomly assigned into an experimental group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. On the basis of routine nursing, the experimental group received cognitive behavioral intervention, including group lectures, individual follow-up, and relaxation training, for 12 weeks. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed at pre-intervention (T0), 6 weeks of intervention (T1), 12 weeks of intervention (T2), and 3 months after the end of the intervention (T3). Results: There was no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05) between the two groups in terms of anxiety, depression, and quality of life scores at baseline. At 6 weeks (T1), 12 weeks (T2), and 3 months after the end of the intervention (T3), the experimental group had significantly lower anxiety and depression scores than the control group ( t test, P < 0.01) and significantly higher quality of life scores than the control group ( t test, P < 0.01). Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant time × group effect for anxiety, depression, and quality of life ( P < 0.001), indicating that the trend of improvement in emotional state and quality of life in the intervention group was significantly better than that in the control group. Conclusion: Specialized nursing based on cognitive behavioral intervention can significantly improve anxiety and depression in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and continuously enhance their quality of life. This provides an important reference for optimizing and promoting clinical nursing models for this population.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4313
by Wei Yan, Jianzheng Du
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 66 Views
Health literacy can influence preventive health behaviors related to cancer, thereby improving human quality of life and health levels. This study focuses on the cancer health literacy status of college students as family members of patients, aiming to explore its impact on the health behavior and psychological resilience of family members. This study conducted a questionnaire survey on college students from Guangzhou University, which included the Cancer Health Literacy Scale, Self Management Behavior Scale, and Related Psychological Change Scale. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed and 372 were collected, with a response rate of 93.0%. 351 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 87.8%. As family members of patients, college students have a high sense of health responsibility, but their self-management ability in nutrition is relatively low. The ability to cope with cancer indirectly affects the willingness of patients’ families to adopt health management behaviors through health behavior beliefs. The higher the ability to cope with cancer, the better the performance of health self-management behaviors. In addition, the overall mental health status of the patient’s family members is in the healthy range, but the positive detection rate of anxiety dimension is as high as 25.07%. The attitude towards cancer presents a contradictory feature of high natural acceptance but coexistence of death fear and avoidance tendency.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4311
by Lingqiong Ren, Ying Luo, Huan Zhang, Yueping Li, Wenying Zhou, Bin Tang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 67 Views
Objective: To investigate the effects of nutritional nursing combined with psychological support on nutritional status, mental health and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis and cancer. Methods: A series of 80 cases of ulcerative colitis complicated by radiation were then standardized into laboratory and test arms, with 40 patients in each group. The parallel set was provided with standard dietary management and health education, while the experimental group, in addition to pharmacological treatment and comprehensive risk assessment, also received specialized psychological support. Nutritional status was evaluated by indicators such as hemoglobin, total protein, serum albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin. Mental health was assessed using the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale, and quality of life was evaluated with the SF-36 scale. Moreover, the systemic inflammation levels and adverse reactions of both groups were observed. Results: Post-treatment, the experimental group displayed increased levels of serum albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin in comparison to the parallel set. Furthermore, the self-assessment scores for the laboratory group for anatomy and hypertension decreased significantly from baseline and were lower than the scores of the parallel set. In terms of life quality, changes were observed in various dimensions for both groups post-intervention, with some differences noted between the experimental and control groups. The trial arm had lower levels of serum inflammatory markers and a lower occurrence of dysfunction over the parallel ones. Conclusion: Integrating nutritional care with psychological intervention can efficiently enhance the nutritional condition of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and cancer. It helps relieve negative psychological states, decrease the levels of serum inflammatory factors, lower the incidence of adverse reactions, and, to some degree, improve patients’ quality of life.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4473
by Wenxue Gou
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 98 Views
Cancer is a major chronic disease that not only poses a serious threat to the physical health of patients, but also significantly affects their psychological state and social adaptability. In the face of the dual pressures imposed by both physical and mental challenges, the role of social support systems in psychosocial intervention has garnered increasing attention. This study adopts a dual focus on medical social work and social welfare protection to explore their synergistic effects in psychological interventions for cancer patients. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates comparative psychological scale assessments with 40 in-depth interviews to systematically analyze the impact pathways of social welfare and medical social work in areas such as emotional regulation, self-efficacy restoration, and the reconstruction of social functioning. Quantitative findings indicate that patients who receive both social welfare support and medical social work services experience the most significant improvements in perceived stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, with the combined intervention yielding greater effectiveness than either approach alone. The qualitative analysis, conducted through NVivo-based thematic extraction, identifies five core themes: the psychological buffering function of welfare policies, the humanistic care provided by social workers, challenges in family caregiving, disparities in resource accessibility, and post-intervention functional recovery. These findings further illuminate the interconnected mechanisms by which institutional policies and professional services contribute to psychosocial support. Based on these results, the study constructs a comprehensive intervention model centered on the integration of social welfare and medical social services, thereby enriching the localized application of social support theory. It concludes that the coordinated development of institutional support and service-based interventions is essential for advancing the psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals living with cancer.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4425
by Junyan Wang, Junzhu Zhao
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 81 Views
Background: The therapeutic potential of music therapy, a non-invasive, affordable, and adaptable psychosocial intervention, has gained increasing attention in cancer care. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are often accompanied by significant psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and fatigue, all of which can substantially reduce patients’ quality of life (QoL). Addressing these psychological issues is essential for delivering comprehensive, holistic care. Existing studies vary in terms of therapy types, delivery methods, treatment phases, and patient populations. This heterogeneity can affect the comparability of findings and limit the generalizability of individual study outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the impact of music therapy on the psychological well-being and resilience of cancer patients. Method: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic selection of peer-reviewed studies was conducted based on inclusion criteria such as study design, participant characteristics, type of music intervention, and measurable psychological outcomes. Both active (e.g., singing, playing instruments, songwriting) and receptive (e.g., listening to live or recorded music) forms of therapy were considered across various types and stages of cancer. Results: The findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in emotional health, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increased coping ability (Hedges’ g = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.66; p < 0.001) and psychological resilience (Hedges’ g = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.61; p < 0.001). Effectiveness and heterogeneity among mental results in cancer patients were assessed using statistical analysis utilising meta-analysis with random-effects models. Conclusion: Interventions conducted by certified music therapists, particularly when initiated early in treatment, were particularly more effective. Music therapy is an effective complementary treatment in cancer care. Its integration into supportive care frameworks is recommended to enhance psychological recovery, emotional strength, and overall well-being in cancer patients.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4637
by Hailong Xu, Ning Wang, Shengxian Chen
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 86 Views
Objective: To investigate the effects of exercise combined with mindfulness meditation training on the quality of life, mental health, immune function, and complications in perioperative cancer patients. Methods: To explore the effect of exercise combined with mindfulness meditation on quality of life, anxiety, depression, immune function and complications in perioperative cancer patients, this study selected 100 perioperative cancer patients. The patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (50 patients) and a control group (50 patients). The experimental group was given exercise combined with mindfulness meditation training. Quality of life, anxiety, depression, immune function and complications of the patients in both groups were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were entered using SPSS 26.0 software. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Independent sample t-tests were used for inter-group comparisons. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data. The experimental group was significantly better than the control group in quality of life ( P < 0.001), mental health (anxiety: P < 0.001, depression: P < 0.001) and immune function ( P < 0.001). The experimental group also had a lower incidence of complications than the control group ( P = 0.038). The improvement in the control group was relatively small. Conclusion: Exercise combined with mindfulness meditation training can effectively improve the quality of life, mental health, and immune function of perioperative cancer patients, while reducing the occurrence of complications, and has important clinical application value.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5480
by Zekeriya Temircan, Kelly Schuller
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 97 Views
The present study aimed to examine the relationships among optimism, social support, and psychological resilience in kidney cancer patients. A cross-sectional design was employed with 131 participants, who completed a questionnaire including demographic information, the Connor-Davidson Psychological Resilience Scale, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Optimism Scale. Results indicated that males reported higher levels of optimism and social support than females, although gender did not significantly influence psychological resilience. Younger patients exhibited higher social support, optimism, and resilience compared to older adults. Regarding disease stage, optimism was highest in Stage I, whereas perceived social support and psychological resilience peaked in Stage II, suggesting greater coping efforts and engagement with support during treatment. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated that higher optimism and social support particularly from family and friends were significantly associated with enhanced psychological resilience, with optimism moderating the impact of social support on resilience. The strong interrelationships among the sub-dimensions of social support highlight the integrated role of social resources in promoting well-being. These findings underscore the importance of fostering optimism and social support through tailored psychosocial interventions, which may strengthen coping strategies and overall quality of life throughout the kidney cancer trajectory.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4636
by Xinyu Liu, Yueyang Jiang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 18 Views
Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor in the world in terms of incidence rate and the second most common malignant tumor in terms of mortality. The postoperative condition of patients with GC metastasis is still poor. How to effectively improve the quality of life (QoL) of postoperative patients has gradually become the key target to current treatment. This study aimed to explore the impact of continuous nursing care on the QoL of GC lung metastasis patients, to better implement treatment for GC patients and improve their QoL. Methods: 102 patients with GC lung metastasis in the First Hospital of China Medical University were randomly divided into control group and observation group. The control group was given routine nursing, and the observation group was given continuous nursing care. The anxiety, depression and QoL scores of patients: physical function, role function, emotional function, cognitive function, and social function, were observed at the time of discharge, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after discharge. Results: The improvement of anxiety and depression in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (both P < 0.005). The 5 variables of QoL in the observation group and control group after discharge were higher than those at discharge (all P < 0.005), and the scores of 5 variables in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P < 0.005). Conclusion: Through the implementation of continuous nursing care for patients with GC lung metastasis, it can effectively reduce and eliminate the negative psychological state of patients, significantly improve the QoL of patients, improve the rehabilitation effect of patients, and has high application value.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5620
by Min Xu, Seong su Baek, Hangyuan Liu, Zheyu He
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 17 Views
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a psychologically shaped symptom that often persists after cancer treatment, yet the mechanisms through which exercise alleviates CRF remain insufficiently understood. Guided by the Cognitive–Affective Self-Regulation Pathway (CASRP), this study examined whether exercise influences CRF through survivors’ perceived capability to exercise (self-efficacy) and their emotional and functional well-being (quality of life; QoL). A sample of 320 cancer survivors from Jiangxi Province, China, completed validated measures of exercise behavior, self-efficacy, QoL, and CRF. Given the cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as theoretically informed associations rather than definitive causal effects. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that exercise was associated with lower CRF largely through psychosocial processes: self-efficacy and QoL each mediated the exercise–fatigue relationship, and a sequential pathway—exercise → self-efficacy → QoL → CRF—provided strong support for the CASRP mechanism. Indirect effects accounted for most of the total association, suggesting that exercise may operate as a psychological activator rather than solely as a physical intervention. These findings highlight the centrality of cognitive reappraisal and affective–functional adaptation in survivors’ fatigue experiences and underscore the value of integrating self-efficacy enhancement and QoL-focused components into exercise-based survivorship care.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5596
by Wei Xu, Yaxian Xu, Zhenbo He, Junqiang Li, Xulin Gong, Maodan Zhang, Leilei Li
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 0 Views
Objective: This study aims to synthesize the most robust evidence regarding non-pharmacological self-management interventions for symptom clusters in post-surgical lung cancer patients at home, thereby offering evidence-based guidance for clinical practice. Methods: In accordance with the “6S” evidence pyramid framework, a systematic search was conducted across pertinent guideline websites, evidence-based databases, association websites, and primary literature databases to identify relevant literature. The search encompassed the period from 1 January 2013, to 31 December 2023. Researchers, who had undergone evidence-based training and successfully passed the assessment, performed a quality evaluation of the identified literature. For literature that satisfied the quality criteria, evidence extraction and synthesis were subsequently undertaken. Results: A total of 24 articles were reviewed, encompassing three primary categories: early self-identification, general intervention strategies, and specialized intervention strategies. The analysis included nine key components: timely assessment, management of healthy living behaviors, pulmonary function exercises, and the management of symptom clusters, related to pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, respiratory system, digestive system, and psychological and emotional disorders. In total, 27 pieces of best evidence were synthesized. Conclusion: The study consolidates the best evidence for non-pharmacological self-management interventions targeting symptom clusters in ost-surgical lung cancer patients at home. It is recommended that medical professionals and health care providers tailor and implement this evidence within specific contexts to enhance the quality of life for these patients.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 5524
by Yao Chen, Yongting Pan, Qian Zhao, Minxiao Gu
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 0 Views
Background: Cancer and its conventional treatments pose not only a physiological burden but also cause significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life. The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate nutritional regimen, has garnered interest in oncology due to its potential to influence tumor metabolism by inducing ketosis and lowering blood glucose. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, EBSCO, PsycINFO) from inception until 1 September 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials and non-randomized interventional studies involving adult cancer patients (any type or stage) were included. The intervention was any KD protocol designed to induce nutritional ketosis. Primary outcomes were psychological metrics measured by validated scales and fasting blood glucose. Study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Eight studies involving 376 patients with various cancers (e.g., ovarian, endometrial, breast, glioblastoma) were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in anxiety scores (HADS-A) favouring the KD group (Mean Difference [MD] = −11.13, 95% CI: −13.88 to −8.38, p < 0.00001). For depression, results were mixed; a significant effect was found on the HADS-D (MD = −11.17, 95% CI: −21.18 to −1.15, p = 0.03) but with high heterogeneity ( I 2 = 84%), while no significant effect was observed on the PHQ-9 (MD = −10.32, 95% CI: −25.45 to 4.81, p = 0.18). Quality of life showed a non-significant trend towards improvement (MD = −13.52, 95% CI: −32.70 to 5.67, p = 0.17). Metabolically, the KD consistently and significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (MD = −8.73 mg/dL, 95% CI: −12.57 to −4.89, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%). Conclusion: The ketogenic diet demonstrates a consistent and significant effect on improving metabolic parameters by lowering blood glucose in cancer patients. Its impact on psychological well-being is more specific, showing a robust and significant benefit for alleviating anxiety, inconsistent effects on depression, and a promising, though non-significant, trend for improved quality of life. Registration number: CRD420251160658.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 4444
by Clive Michelsen
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 0 Views
Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing significant physical, emotional, and economic burdens on patients and healthcare systems. Beyond the direct physiological challenges of treatment, individuals with cancer often experience profound psychosocial distress, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can hinder treatment adherence and coping capacity. Despite evidence that psychosocial interventions can enhance overall well-being and sometimes even survival rates, integration of mental health into oncology care faces obstacles such as workforce shortages, stigma, and geographical barriers. To strengthen the scientific contribution of this work, we now (i) clarify that the paper presents a mixed methods development evaluation protocol rather than a purely conceptual proposal, and (ii) summarize preliminary feasibility data collected in two European cancer centers ( n = 96; see Section 5). Based upon the feasibility study, this paper proposes-empirically based pilots- to measure a digital mental health triage solution underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI). By embedding routine psychosocial screening into oncology workflows, patients are stratified into low, moderate or high-risk tiers. Low and moderate tiers receive AI guided self-management resources; high-risk patients are referred rapidly to specialist care. Psychological distress was assessed at baseline and after four weeks using the 51-item Empowerment for Participation mini assessment (EFP Mini), highly correlated with both GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Group 1 (Cohort & Self-assessment only) achieved a modest but statistically significant reduction in total distress scores ( Δ = –28.8 ± 54.6; 95% CI [–54.36, –3.24]; t (19) = –2.36; p = 0.029), Group 2 (self-assessment with Ai support) showed a non-significant trend toward improvement ( Δ = –22.8 ± 39.3; 95% CI [–50.90, 5.30]; t (9) = –1.84; p = 0.10), and Group 3 (self-assessment with the blended AI + human coaching arm yielded a large, clinically meaningful decrease ( Δ = –121.7 ± 55.3; 95% CI [–161.26, –82.14]; t (9) = –6.96; p < 0.001), with a one-way ANOVA confirming significant differences across groups ( F (2, 37) = 12.79; p < 0.001). Potential benefits, implementation challenges and regulatory implications-including the forthcoming EU AI Act-are critically examined. This paper explores the methodological considerations, potential benefits, and implementation challenges associated with an AI-driven mental health triage system in oncology. Future directions include long-term evaluations of effectiveness, cost-benefit analyses, and culturally sensitive adaptations across diverse healthcare settings.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 4362
by Man Teng Iong
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 103 Views
Background: Cancer patients face severe psychological challenges, manifesting as anxiety, depression and emotional distress throughout their treatment choices, palliative care transitions and end-of-life situations. These psychosocial burdens become worse because they cannot control the medical procedures which affect them. Advance Directives (ADs) serve as essential instruments that protect patient control of their medical decisions, minimize decisional uncertainty and guarantee medical care follows the patient’s individual worth and personal values. Objective: This paper evaluates the relationship between ADs and psycho-oncology through evidence showing their success in decreasing psychological distress in cancer patients and their families. The article examines how ADs function in specific cancer-related situations, such as end-of-life care, palliative treatment, mental health crises and cognitive decline from terminal illness. Methods: The research examines international ADs through policy review and a framework evaluation across American, German and UK systems, assessing their effects on patient care quality together with ethical and emotional outcomes. Regarding literature selection, this article uses “Advance Directives”, “Psycho-Oncology” and “Autonomy” as keywords in Google Scholar and Web of Science Core Collection for document search. The author verified the abstract and keywords of all searched articles and included only articles that are related to the topic. Findings: The absence of nationwide AD legislation in China creates psychological distress for cancer patients because families and clinicians frequently disregard patient choices, which results in moral distress and conflicts. Conclusion: The implementation of ADs represents a vital necessity to enhance the quality of psychological care for patients with cancer within China. A culturally appropriate AD framework would enable cancer patients to gain control while decreasing their psychosocial distress and following international human rights standards. The author advocates the implementation of ADs within psychosocial assessments and cancer care protocols to overcome patient autonomy barriers in both systemic and cultural contexts.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 5468
by Qiuqi Feng, Lu Zhang, Xiaoyan Wang, Xiaolei Tang, Longju Qi
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 86 Views
Objective: To investigate the impact of empowerment-based psychological models on the postoperative recovery of patients with breast cancer through a meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Information, and international databases like PubMed. The literature search was carried out from the establishment of the database up to July 3, 2025. Collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the impact of the empowerment psychological model on the postoperative rehabilitation of breast cancer patients, and conduct a Meta - analysis using RevMan 5.3. Results: A total of 10 articles were incorporated in this study, covering 1432 patients, among which 716 patients were assigned to the observation group. The meta-analysis results revealed that versus the control group, the observation group showed lower anxiety scores [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (−1.69)–(−0.84), P < 0.001], lower depression scores [SMD = −1.33, 95% CI = (−1.68)–(−0.97), P < 0.001], higher resilience scores (SMD = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.55–1.85, P < 0.001), and higher self-efficacy scores (SMD = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.04–2.65, P = 0.040). Conclusion: The empowerment-based psychological model can improve breast cancer patients’ anxiety and depression after surgery, enhance their mental resilience and self-efficacy, and thus promote postoperative recovery.
Open Access
Review
Article ID: 5444
by Mengjiao Yu, LI WANG, QI LIU, Xueshao Zhang
Psycho-Oncologie , Vol.20, No.1, 2026; 114 Views
This study systematically explored the effectiveness, mechanisms, and current status of rhythmic cheerleading interventions for body image distress and psychological well-being in female cancer patients, utilizing a scoping review and bibliometric analysis. The study analyzed literature indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) core database from 2005 to 2024. A multi-stage screening process ultimately identified 40 core articles, which were analyzed from three perspectives: bibliometric characteristics, intervention mechanisms, and research limitations. Bibliometric results revealed a strong interdisciplinary focus in this area, with rapid growth from 2012 to 2019. Key themes focused on exercise and physical activity interventions (40%) and dance and movement therapy interventions (35%). Analysis of intervention mechanisms revealed that rhythmic cheerleading, leveraging its four key characteristics of rhythm, teamwork, expressiveness, and enjoyment, synergistically works through a triple mechanism of "physiological regulation, psychological reconstruction, and social support." Physiologically, synchronized movements activate endorphins, serotonin release, and HPA axis regulation, alleviating treatment-related fatigue and anxiety. Psychologically, artistic expression promotes identity reconstruction, helping patients shed the "patient" label. Socially, teamwork fosters support networks and reduces social avoidance. The study also identified limitations in the current field, including low-level evidence, insufficient personalized and culturally adaptable intervention programs, and in-depth analysis of neurobiological mechanisms. This study provides evidence-based support for academic research and clinical application of rhythmic cheerleading in the field of psychological rehabilitation for female cancer patients. Future research is needed through multicenter randomized controlled trials, the development of tiered intervention models, and the application of neuroimaging technology to further refine the intervention approach and promote its adoption as an effective and sustainable cancer rehabilitation intervention.
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