Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39707418›Full record

SynthesisOrphanet journal of rare diseases2024

A systematic review of peer support interventions to improve psychosocial functioning among cancer survivors: can findings be translated to survivors with a rare cancer living rurally?

L Hemming, S F A Duijts, N Zomerdijk, C Cockburn, E Yuen, R Hardman, J Van Vuuren, T Farrugia, C Wilson, E Spelten

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

Synthesis in Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–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

9 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Exercise for survivorship: outcomes associated with a community-based group exercise program for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Article
  9. 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

10 authors.

L HemmingViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia. l.hemming@latrobe.edu.au.
S F A DuijtsViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.
N ZomerdijkMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
C CockburnRare Cancers Australia, Bowral, NSW, Australia.
E YuenSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
R HardmanViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.
J Van VuurenViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.
T FarrugiaViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.
C WilsonMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
E SpeltenViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.

Funding

Cancer Council Victoria Grants-in-aid
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to (1) summarise research on the impact of peer support interventions aimed at improving psychosocial functioning among cancer survivors, and (2) identify key components for developing a support intervention for patients with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas.

methodsA comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library identified papers that examined peer support interventions: (i) for rare cancer patients, or (ii) for those living in rural, regional or remote locations, or (iii) that provided support online or via telehealth. After screening, data on study characteristics, intervention components and impact on psychosocial functioning were extracted. Quality assessment was conducted, and findings were synthesised narratively.

resultsA total of 23 unique studies were included, primarily exploring peer support for middle-aged females with a breast cancer diagnosis. Interventions were online or telephone-based, targeting a range of psychosocial outcomes with significant improvements found for coping abilities and loneliness. The most impactful interventions involved online, group formats facilitated by healthcare professionals. There were limited data on rare cancers and rural populations.

conclusionsFew studies have explored peer support interventions for those diagnosed with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas. Evidence shows mixed impact on psychosocial functioning for cancer survivors, yet promising elements of peer support that can be translated to rare cancer patients living in rural, regional or remote areas.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsAdaptation, PsychologicalFemaleHumansNeoplasmsPeer GroupPsychosocial FunctioningRural PopulationSocial SupportCancerDigital healthPeer supportPsychosocial functioningRare cancerRegional and remote healthRural

Identifiers

PMID39707418
PMCPMC11662424

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.