Thirteen Nonpharmacological Interventions for Increasing the Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Abstract

Background A variety of nonpharmacological interventions that improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer have been difficult for medical staff to select through randomized controlled trials or traditional meta-analyses. Thus, a network meta-analysis is necessary. Objective This study used network meta-analysis to analyze the effect of 13 different nonpharmacological interventions on improving the living quality of patients with advanced cancer. Methods Five English databases were searched up to January 2019. The search strategy only included terms relating to or describing the intervention. Results The study included 13 different nonpharmacological interventions. The overall efficacy was summarized through a holistic study of quality of life. The study found that the combined effect sizes of 13 nonpharmacological interventions crossed the invalid line (weighted mean difference, −13 [95% confidence interval, −33 to 8.5] to 1.7 [95% confidence interval, −18 to 22]), indicating that none of the intervention was significantly different from each other. By evaluating the heterogeneity of this outcome, no significant evidence of heterogeneity (P > .05) was observed. Probability ranking according to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve showed that there was a great possibility for the CanWalk intervention and structured multidisciplinary intervention to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Conclusions Thirteen nonpharmacological interventions did not significantly impact quality of life. Regarding the probability rank, CanWalk intervention may be the most promising way that advanced cancer patients can help themselves to a better life. Because of the limitations of the current studies, the conclusion needs further evidence. Implications for Practice Nurses should consider recommending moderate physical activity for patients with advanced cancer.