Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Objective. To describe and discuss the results of non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) adjuvants in the treatment of depressive symptoms among women with breast cancer (BC). Materials and methods. A systematic review on NPI was performed, which was applied to patients with cancer and depressive symptoms in seven databases. The review was limited from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2017 and to English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. The medical descriptors used were “breast neoplasm” and “depression”. Results. There are several NPI that are able stimulate the physical or psychosocial dimensions. In this article we propose a classification based on nine identified therapeutic strategies, among which exercise, psychotherapy and yoga with meditation stand out. Conclusions. Based on the available evidence, we concluded that psychotherapy and yoga with meditation reduce depressive symptoms in patients with CaMa. More research is needed to determine the magnitude of the reduction of depressive symptoms, according to their severity, presence of comorbidities and diversity of INF.

Keywords

• cáncer de mama
• síntomas depresivos
• tera¬péutica no farmacológica