Effectiveness of nursing interventions on the sexual quality of life of patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

by Jia Lu, Xiao Min Chen, Kai Hong Xie

Although many studies have reported the effectiveness of nursing interventions on the sexual quality of life of patients with breast cancer, the results have not been synthesized. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions on the sexual quality of life of patients with breast cancer.

A comprehensive search was conducted in 11 databases from inception to October 7, 2021. Studies evaluating the effects of nursing interventions on sexual quality of life were included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed by two independent reviewers.

This review pooled 38 studies with 3,664 participants. Meta-analysis results showed that nursing interventions significantly improved sexual quality of life, including sexual function (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.60–1.37], P < 0.001) and sexual satisfaction (SMD = 0.99, 95% CI = [0.41–1.57], P < 0.001). In addition, depression (SMD = −1.16, 95% CI = [−2.08–−0.24], P = 0.01) and general quality of life (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.08–0.33], P = 0.002) were significantly improved, but body image (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI = [−0.08–0.41], P = 0.19) and anxiety (SMD = −0.45, 95% CI = [-0.93–0.02], P = 0.06) did not significantly improve. Subgroup analysis showed that nursing interventions had a stronger long-term effect on sexual function (SMD = 1.15, 95% CI = [0.51–1.80], P = P < 0.001) and was more effective in younger patients (SMD = 1.43, 95% CI = [0.63–2.23], P = P < 0.001). Nursing interventions showed a statistically significant short-term effect on sexual satisfaction (SMD = 1.32, 95% CI = [0.44–2.20], P = 0.003) and a significant effect in older patients (SMD = 1.27, 95% CI = [0.46–2.08], P = 0.002).

Nursing intervention may be an effective way to improve the sexual quality of life of patients with breast cancer. Nursing interventions had a stronger long-term effect on sexual function, and the group with the strongest effect is the younger patients. Nursing interventions showed a significant short-term effect on sexual satisfaction, and older patients had significant improvement in sexual satisfaction.