Garcia, S. (2014). The effects of education on anxiety levels in patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time: An integrative review. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18, 516–521.
DOI Link
Purpose
PURPOSE: To synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of education for decreasing anxiety in patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time
Search Strategy
Literature Evaluated
Sample Characteristics
- FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 10 articles
- TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = N/A (not all resources included were research studies or systematic reviews)
- SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: N/A
- KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Three references were related to patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time. Other references included general practice guidelines and expert opinions.
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Results
Three sources were guidelines, two were pilot studies, one was an evidence summary review, one was a systematic review, and one was an expert opinion. Most sources were of poor or fair quality. Not all the studies actually measured anxiety; some measured patient satisfaction. There was no differentiation made between the provision of educational and informational written materials and the provision of psychoeducation or cognitive behavioral therapy interventions.
Conclusions
This review provides minimal actual evidence regarding the effectiveness of educational interventions.
Limitations
A limited number of actual studies were included, and those included did not all address or measure anxiety.
Nursing Implications
Patient education prior to receiving chemotherapy is an essential aspect of patient care in providing an informed and empowered patient. The impact of education alone on anxiety is not clear, and this article does not provide substantial evidence or synthesis to clarify this potential effect of educational interventions.