ArticlePloS one2025
Associations between death anxiety and fear of illness progression or recurrence: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Cross-cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ-20) Among Older Adults with Chronic Diseases in China.Journal of religion and health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFear of progression or recurrence of chronic physical illness has been associated with negative mental health outcomes across several conditions. Qualitative research suggests that the fear of death (i.e., death anxiety) may be associated with fear of illness progression or recurrence. However, a systematic evaluation of the relationship between fear of illness progression or recurrence and death anxiety is currently lacking. This protocol is for a systematic review of peer-reviewed, quantitative research examining associations between death anxiety and fear of illness progression or recurrence of chronic physical illnesses. Where possible, the strength of these associations will be tested through meta-analysis.
methodA systematic search of quantitative studies written in English will be conducted across six academic databases: MEDLINE; PsycINFO; PubMed; Web of Science; CINAHL; EMBASE. Each record will be screened for eligibility by two authors. Data extraction and quality assessment, using the Joanna Briggs Inventory Risk of Bias tool, will similarly be performed by two authors, with discrepancies being resolved through discussion and consensus with a third author, REM. Data will be synthesised narratively, according to Cochrane guidelines, by which sample characteristics, measurement tools for both death anxiety and fear of illness progression or recurrence, and associations between death anxiety and fear of illness progression or recurrence will be described. Where sufficient data are available, meta-analysis will be conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 4. If there are sufficient studies (k = 4), additional analyses may examine whether the size of the relationship differs between illness types (e.g., life-threatening vs. non-life-threatening). Gender and age may also be examined as potential moderators of the effect, based on available reported data in the studies. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024583393). DISCUSSION: This systematic review will further the understanding of how death anxiety and fear of illness progression or recurrence interact, and will help to shape future fear of illness progression or recurrence research with the aim of improving the wellbeing of individuals living with chronic physical illness.
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