Efficacy of couple-based dyadic interventions on the relationship outcomes of couples with cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of different couple-based dyadic interventions on patient-partner couple's relationship outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of the nine databases, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINHAL, PsyclINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WanFang was conducted from database inception to October 22, 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with cancer and their partners receiving couple-based dyadic interventions. The outcome indicators included couple relationship quality. The results were plotted and presented by Stata 14.0. The surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) was employed for intervention level estimation. RESULTS: This study included 2519 patients with cancer and their partners from 25 RCTs. For patients with cancer, supportive care demonstrated the largest effect size in improving couples' relationships (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.69; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: -1.15,-0.23) and had the highest cumulative probability (SUCRA: 69.4%) compared to skills training. Mindfulness demonstrated the largest effect size for partners in improving relationships of couples (SMD: -0.51, 95% CI: -0.98,-0.05) and had the highest cumulative probability (SUCRA: 87.2%) compared to skills training. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness represents the most promising couple-based dyadic intervention for improving relationship quality between partners of patients with cancer. However, no significantly effective interventions have been identified to enhance couple relationships for patients. Future research should consider the requirements of patients and partners who are the units, and develop more targeted programs to facilitate relationship adjustment. The results provide a low level of certainty, suggesting the need for further rigorous studies to validate these findings.