The Effect of Self-efficacy-Enhancing Interventions on Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review.

Background: The influence of self-efficacy-enhancing interventions on quality of life (QOL) is not clear with recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because current reviews only evaluated self-efficacy as an outcome.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review to examine the effect of self-efficacy-enhancing interventions on QOL among patients with cancer and to summarize the effective determinants for designing self-efficacy-enhancing interventions.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on studies published from January 2003 to May 2023 using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Included studies were RCTs, adults diagnosed with cancer, interventions with explicit self-efficacy components, and QOL as the outcome.

Results: Nineteen RCTs were included. Risk-of-bias assessment revealed 12 studies with some concerns and 7 with high risk of bias. The mean intervention adherence rate was 88.2%; the most frequently listed reason for dropout was medical conditions and mortality. Self-efficacy interventions were shown to significantly improve at least 1 subscale of QOL in 9 of 19 studies, of which 7 studies used Bandura's 4 sources of self-efficacy. The interventions with between-session intervals shorter than 2 weeks, of 12-week duration, and with an in-person delivery approach were the most effective.

Conclusions: Self-efficacy-enhancing interventions show potential beneficial effects on QOL among cancer survivors. Interventions that use Bandura's 4 sources of self-efficacy strategies and have between-session intervals shorter than 2 weeks, an in-person approach, and 12-week intervention duration are recommended.

Implications for practice: Properly designed self-efficacy-enhancing interventions can facilitate behavioral change and improve QOL in cancer survivors.