Objective:

To review and analize the scientific evidence regarding the psychological interventions carried out in the caregivers of underage cancer patients.

Method:

A systematic review of articles from peer-reviewed journals was conducted. Articles were recovered from MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PSICODOC, Scopus, Web of Science and MEDES until July 2020. The search equation was formulated using the descriptors «Psychotherapy» and «Caregivers» and «Neoplasms», also using the related Entry Terms and filters: «Humans» and «Child: birth-18 years». The quality of the articles was evaluated using the CONSORT questionnaire and the level of evidence and grade of recommendation using the GRADE criteria.

Results:

After applying the inclusión and exclusión criteria 11 articles were selected from the 255 articles initially retrieved. In the evaluation of the quality of the articles using CONSORT the scores ranged from a mínimum of 14,5 to a maximum of 20,8 with a median of 18,5 (maximum score of 21). According to GRADE criteria a strong recommendation grade (moderate to high quality evidence) was obtained, classified between the ranges from 1B to 1A. The most frequent intervention was cognitive behavioral therapy, in 7 of 11 clinical trials, being directed by a psychologist, with face to face sessions being the most used form of intervention.

Conclusions:

Most of the clinical trials measured depressive, anxious and post-traumatic symptoms. The most used intervention was cognitive behavioral therapy with a decrease in post-traumatic stress. It was also observed that depression, anxiety and the feeling of less emotional charge decreased in the intervention group. However, in some trials no significant differences were found in terms of symptoms in these areas. But even so, the caregiving mothers rated the intervention as favorable.

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