Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40380043›Full record

ReviewJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

What can we learn from the evidence of psychosocial support for carers of people with cancer and how do we advance our efforts? A meta-review study.

Brona Nic Giolla Easpaig, Bronwyn Newman, Judith Johnson, Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, Ursula M Sansom-Daly, Lucy Jones, Lukas Hofstätter, Eden G Robertson, Stephen Mears, Kabir Sattarshetty and 4 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

14 authors.

Brona Nic Giolla EaspaigSchool of Nursing, Charles Darwin University, Sydney, Australia. b.nicgiollaeaspaig@cdu.edu.au.
Bronwyn NewmanAustralian Institute for Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Judith JohnsonDivision of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Rebekah Laidsaar-PowellPsycho-Oncology Co-Operative Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Ursula M Sansom-DalySchool of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Lucy JonesNeuroblastoma Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Lukas HofstätterCarers New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Eden G RobertsonSchool of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Stephen MearsAustralian Institute for Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Kabir SattarshettySchool of Nursing, Charles Darwin University, Sydney, Australia.
Rachel E HouwelingSchool of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Rhiannon EdgeRedkite, Sydney, Australia.
Joanne CummingsRedkite, Sydney, Australia.
Reema HarrisonAustralian Institute for Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

Funding

Career Development Fellowship, Cancer Institute New South Wales 2021/CDF1104Early Career Fellowship, Cancer Institute New South Wales 2020/ECF1163Early Career Fellowship, Cancer Institute New South Wales 2022/ECF1457
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeLiterature concerning programmes to support the well-being of carers of cancer survivors is vast, complex, and difficult to navigate, posing difficulties for identifying and translating relevant evidence. This study will advance the field by mapping and synthesising reviews to address the question: "What psychosocial interventions are available to promote the well-being of carers for people diagnosed with cancer, as reported in the evidence from reviews?".

methodsA meta-review was conducted of reviews published between 2013 and 2024. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases and relevant reference lists were searched for eligible reviews. Records were screened and assessed in accordance with the method with data from included reviews extracted and synthesised. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guided reporting. Reviews were appraised using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses.

resultsUltimately, 54 reviews met the inclusion criteria. This evidence was mapped regarding populations, interventions, and outcomes, including depression, anxiety, quality of life, and distress. On average, reviews addressed nine of 11 quality checklist items. Insights were gained concerning the role of theory, carer populations, and intervention characteristics.

conclusionKey features of the body of evidence were identified that can hinder progress and which point to ways forward. It is concluded that a recalibrated carer research agenda is needed, one that is designed to synthesise evidence concerning what works, for which carers to achieve what outcomes, or to address which kinds of psychosocial support needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Despite the need to ensure that carers have access to programs that support their wellbeing as they care for their loved ones, the evidence to guide program development is complex and difficult to navigate. A refocusing of research efforts is needed to advance understanding of what is most effective for carers, and how this can be translated into clinical practice.

Indexed as

CaregiversNeoplasmsPsychosocial Support SystemsQuality of LifeSocial SupportHumansCancerCaregiverCarerPsychosocial interventionSupport

Identifiers

PMID40380043
PMCPMC13676645

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

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.