Background: The majority of adult cancer patients/survivors encounter social challenges (e.g., obtaining social support, maintaining social relationships, feelings of social isolation). This systematic review summarizes intervention studies addressing social integration or social connectedness issues among young- and middle-aged cancer patients/survivors. Methods: We searched the PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases (January 2000–May 2021) to identify intervention studies that addressed social integration, social connectedness, social support, and social isolation for cancer patients/survivors in young- and middle-aged adulthood (18–64.9 years) through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We categorized the interventions as technology-based, non-technology-based, and mixed-type (technology- and non-technology-based). Results: A total of 28 studies were identified. These interventions demonstrated improved social outcomes (e.g., increased social support, decreased loneliness), increased awareness of available cancer-related resources, and better patient-reported outcomes among patients/survivors versus controls. Specifically, the use of internet-based discussion sessions was associated with improved social cohesion and social support. Receiving social support from peers through networking sites was associated with improved physical activity. Additionally, implementing mixed-type interventions led to better social support from peer survivors, less fear of social interactions, and improved social connectedness. Conclusions: Using existing technology- and/or non-technology-based platforms to facilitate social connectedness among cancer patients/survivors in young- or middle-aged adulthood can help them cope with stressful life circumstances and improve quality-of-life. Further interventions targeting social integration (e.g., social network interventions) are needed to improve the complex social integration challenges experienced by cancer patients and survivors.
背景：大多数成年癌症患者/幸存者面临社会性挑战（例如获取社会支持、维持社会关系、感受社会孤立）。本系统综述总结了针对中青年癌症患者/幸存者社会融入或社会联结问题的干预研究。方法：我们检索了PubMed、CINAHL和Web of Science数据库（2000年1月至2021年5月），通过随机对照试验筛选出针对18-64.9岁中青年成年期癌症患者/幸存者社会融入、社会联结、社会支持及社会孤立问题的干预研究。将干预措施分为技术型、非技术型及混合型（技术与非技术结合）。结果：共纳入28项研究。与对照组相比，这些干预措施显示出改善的社会性结果（如增强社会支持、减少孤独感）、提高癌症相关资源认知度以及更好的患者报告结局。具体而言，基于互联网的讨论环节与增强社会凝聚力和社会支持相关；通过社交网络获得同伴支持与改善身体活动水平相关；实施混合型干预则有助于获得更好的同伴幸存者支持、减少社交恐惧并增强社会联结。结论：利用现有技术型和/或非技术型平台促进中青年癌症患者/幸存者的社会联结，可帮助其应对压力生活情境并提升生活质量。未来需针对社会融入（如社交网络干预）开展进一步干预，以改善癌症患者及幸存者面临的复杂社会融入挑战。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家