Comparative Effectiveness of Resilience‐Focused Psychological Interventions on Resilience, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Cancer: A Network Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Published online on June 03, 2026
Abstract
["Psycho-Oncology, Volume 35, Issue 6, June 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nBackground\nPatients with cancer often experience psychological distress, which can reduce resilience, increase anxiety, and depression. Resilience‐focused psychological interventions have been increasingly implemented; however, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear, as existing evidence is largely limited to pairwise comparisons. This study aimed to compare and rank the effectiveness of resilience‐focused psychological interventions on resilience, anxiety, and depression among adults with cancer using a network meta analysis of randomized controlled trials.\n\n\nMethods\nA systematic search of seven databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) was conducted from inception to December 2025. A frequentist random‐effects network meta‐analysis was performed using the netmeta package in R. Effectiveness was evaluated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), prediction intervals, P‐scores, and certainty of evidence.\n\n\nResults\nTwenty‐six randomized controlled trials involving 2159 adults with cancer were included. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrated the largest improvement in resilience (SMD = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.48), followed by positive psychology interventions (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.03) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) (SMD = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.04, 1.35). For anxiety, ACT (SMD = −0.97; 95% CI: −1.85, −0.10) and CBT (SMD = −0.73; 95% CI: −1.19, −0.27) showed the largest average reductions. For depression, CBT (SMD = −0.61; 95% CI: −0.97, −0.25) and positive psychology (SMD = −0.55; 95% CI: −0.89 to −0.20) were significant symptom reductions.\n\n\nConclusion\nResilience‐focused psychological interventions were effective, with CBT showing the most consistent benefits, followed by positive psychology interventions and ACT. These findings support integrating resilience‐based interventions into oncology care to improve psychological well‐being.\n\n"]