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Narrative interventions improve sleep quality in patients with cancer

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found that narrative interventions significantly improved sleep quality in cancer patients (Hedge's g = 1.292, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.04, p = 0.005). The evidence for this outcome was rated as low quality. The analysis included studies from China, the USA, and Spain conducted between 2011 and 2025.

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score49/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effect of narrative interventions on psychological outcomes, sleep quality and quality of life in patients with cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

observational

Çetiner E, Turan Kavradim S, Özer Z · European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Narrative interventions (e.g., expressive writing, storytelling, or narrative therapy)
Outcome: Sleep quality (measured via validated scales, e.g., PSQI)
Effect Size: Hedge's g = 1.292
Population: Patients with cancer (from 11 RCTs in China, USA, and Spain)

Result:

PubMed: 42398395DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103259

Mechanism Graph

Narrative interventions facilitate emotional expression and cognitive processing of cancer-related distress
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Reduced psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression) may improve sleep regulation
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Enhanced self-efficacy and psychological resilience may promote adaptive sleep behaviors
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Result: Improved sleep quality scores

Limitations

  • ⚠Low-quality evidence for sleep quality due to risk of bias and heterogeneity across studies
  • ⚠Limited generalizability as most studies were conducted in China (8 of 11 RCTs)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are narrative interventions in cancer care?▼

Narrative interventions include expressive writing, storytelling, or guided narrative therapy that help patients articulate their cancer experiences to process emotions and improve psychological well-being.

How much did sleep quality improve with narrative interventions?▼

The meta-analysis reported a large effect size (Hedge's g = 1.292) for sleep quality improvement, but the evidence quality was low, so results should be interpreted cautiously.

Were there any side effects of narrative interventions?▼

The abstract does not report any adverse effects; narrative interventions are generally considered low-risk psychological interventions.

Can narrative interventions replace standard cancer treatments?▼

No, narrative interventions are complementary psychosocial approaches and are not intended to replace medical treatments for cancer.

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References

  1. 1.Çetiner E, Turan Kavradim S, Özer Z. "Effect of narrative interventions on psychological outcomes, sleep quality and quality of life in patients with cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.." European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 2026. PMID: 42398395 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103259
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.