Effect of Non- Pharmacological Interventions on Stress of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review

  Background and purpose: Stress management of patients with breast cancer, especially patients receiving chemotherapy is one the goals of service providers all over the world. This review aimed at investigating the effect of non-pharmacological interventions on stress of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Materials and methods: In this systematic review, electronic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Magiran, Scientific Information Database, and Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials were searched. The search keywords were Distress, Stress, Chemotherapy, Breast Cancer, and Non- Pharmacological Intervention in both Persian and English. A total of 74,590 articles were found from which nine were selected after removing the duplicate and irrelevant articles and using Jadad scale to screen the methodological quality of the articles. Results: Findings were classified into two main categories: psychological interventions, including Problem solving and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Complementary medicine interventions including: music therapy, Reiki therapy, yoga, and physical exercise. Most of the modalities reduced the stress in patients studied. Conclusion: Non-pharmacological interventions could reduce stress in breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy, therefore, they should be informed with the benefits of this approach and have the right to select an appropriate method. To achieve this goal care providers empowerment is highly necessary.