Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28545539›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2017

The role of nature in cancer patients' lives: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

Sarah Blaschke

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
23citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

23 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Nature Photographs as Complementary Care in Chemotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Nature-Based Interventions and Exposure among Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Review
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Active by nature: exploring cancer survivors' exercise barriers, facilitators, preferences, and psychosocial benefits of engaging in outdoor physical activity.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2021
    Article
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Sarah BlaschkeCancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, 3000, Australia. Sarah.Blaschke@petermac.org.ORCID 0000-0003-2737-3379

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA systematic review and meta-synthesis was conducted to identify, compare and synthesize the published qualitative literature contributing to our understanding of the role of nature in cancer patients' lives.

methodAn electronic search of Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Databases was conducted to identify qualitative studies focused on cancer patients' nature experiences published between January 1985 and May 2015. Records were assessed according to pre-defined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on study characteristics and evaluated using the COREQ guidelines for comprehensive quality reporting. Qualitative data from 'results' and 'findings' sections were entered into data management software NVivo in order to identify recurring themes and facilitate interpretation across studies.

resultsFrom 11 eligible publications, seven inter-related core themes with descriptive themes were identified as follows: connecting with what is valued; being elsewhere, seeing and feeling differently; exploration, inner and outer excursions; home and safe; symbolism, understanding and communicating differently; benefitting from old and new physical activities; and, enriching aesthetic experiences.

conclusionsNature provides patients with unburdened physical and psychic space invested with personal significance. Findings propose nature's role as a "secure base" offering patients a familiar and nurturing context from which new perspectives can emerge and caring connections can be made with themselves, others, the past, and the future. As such, nature supported patients to navigate the clinical and personal consequences of cancer. Comprehensive representation of cancer patients' nature experiences identified patient values and care opportunities embedded in clinical and personal environments, which may be considered for future research and care service development.

Indexed as

EmpathyExerciseHumansNeoplasmsQualitative ResearchAttachment theoryCancerMeta-synthesisNaturePatient resourcesSupportive care

Identifiers

PMID28545539
PMCPMC5445345

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.