Reminiscence Therapy-Engaged Care Exhibits a Pleasing Effect on Attenuating Psychological Burden and Bolstering Quality of Life in Elderly Postoperative Cervical Cancer Patients with Anxiety or Depression

Abstract

Reminiscence therapy (RT) is an effective psychological intervention to address mental disorders in the elderly; however, it is insufficiently appraised in elderly postoperative cervical cancer patients complicated with anxiety or depression. Hence, this study aimed to explore the effect of RT-engaged care (RTEC) on this population. Totally, 112 elderly postoperative cervical cancer patients with anxiety or depression were enrolled in this single-center, randomized, controlled study, and randomized into RTEC group (N = 56) or usual care group (N = 56) for a 12-week intervention. Evaluations were performed at baseline and the 4 ^th week (W4), 8^th week (W8), and 12^th week (W12) after intervention initiation.Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)-anxiety score at W12 (P = 0.028) as well as HADS-depression score at W8 (P = 0.028) and W12 (P = 0.017) were reduced in RTEC group compared to usual care group. However, the mini-mental state examination score at W4, W8, and W12 was not different between the two groups (all P > 0.050). Concerning quality of life (QoL), EuroQol 5-dimensions score at W12 was reduced in RTEC group than in usual care group (P = 0.010). Both quality of life questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) global-health-status score and QLQ-C30 function score at W8 and W12 were elevated in RTEC group compared to usual care group (all P < 0.050). Whereas no difference was seen in QLQ-C30 symptom score at these timepoints between the two groups (all P > 0.050). In conclusion, RTEC alleviates psychological burden and improves QoL in elderly postoperative cervical cancer patients with anxiety or depression, while the effect in enhancing cognitive function is not obvious.