Infection Control Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Psychogeriatrics. 2024 Nov;24(6):1389-1401. doi: 10.1111/psyg.13182. Epub 2024 Aug 29.
Coping with cancer presents a multitude of challenges that encompass every aspect of a patient's life. These challenges not only strain the body but also weigh heavily on the mind, often culminating in profound psychological distress for cancer patients. The cumulative burden of these experiences can heighten the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, exacerbating the already daunting landscape of cancer care. Therefore, this study reviewed the available research with the aim of investigating the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on psychological conditions in elderly cancer patients. In this scoping review, we applied specific criteria to select studies that focused on elderly patients with cancer. We performed an extensive search across electronic databases, including Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. In our investigation, we identified a total of 3870 articles related to the topic under review. Following a meticulous screening process that involved evaluating titles, abstracts, and full texts, we ultimately selected five articles deemed relevant for inclusion in this review. Among these articles, three were randomised studies, while the remaining two were review articles. The outcomes of our analysis revealed that herbal decoctions, nutritional counselling, Tai Chi and acupressure, can effectively improve various psychological outcomes in elderly cancer patients. These interventions reduce fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress, while also enhancing sleep quality and overall mental health. The present study highlights the importance of traditional Chinese medicine in addressing the needs of elderly patients with cancer. As a result, it is recommended that further extensive research be conducted to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in managing cancer in the elderly.
应对癌症带来了诸多挑战，涵盖了患者生活的方方面面。这些挑战不仅对身体造成压力，还对心理造成沉重负担，常常使癌症患者陷入深刻的心理困境。这些经历的累积负担可能会增加患精神障碍的风险，使癌症治疗的严峻形势更加恶化。因此，本研究回顾了现有的研究，旨在探讨中药对老年癌症患者心理状况的影响。在本次范围界定综述中，我们应用了特定的标准来选择关注老年癌症患者的研究。我们在电子数据库（包括 Embase、Science Direct、PubMed、Google Scholar、Scopus、Cochrane Library 和 Web of Science）中进行了广泛的搜索。在调查中，我们总共确定了 3870 篇与主题相关的文章。经过仔细筛选，包括评估标题、摘要和全文，我们最终选择了五篇被认为与本综述相关的文章。其中三篇是随机研究，另外两篇是综述文章。我们的分析结果表明，草药汤剂、营养咨询、太极拳和穴位按压可以有效改善老年癌症患者的各种心理结果。这些干预措施可减轻疲劳、抑郁、焦虑和压力，同时提高睡眠质量和整体心理健康。本研究强调了中药在满足老年癌症患者需求方面的重要性。因此，建议进一步进行广泛的研究，全面评估中药在治疗老年癌症方面的疗效和安全性。
