The treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) can trigger a sequence of life-altering decisions that can induce depression and effects on health-related quality of life. We aimed to simultaneously compare all available psychosocial interventions using both direct and indirect data.

In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, we searched the Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials for randomized controlled trials (RCT) published before Oct, 2016, that compared active treatments dealing with psychosocial problems in PCa patients after treatment. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life improvement as measured by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Psychological morbidity was assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016049621.

We screened 113 potentially eligible studies and identified 31 RCTs, that examined 7 psychosocial interventions in 3643 PCa participants. In terms of SF-36, cognitive behavioral therapy [standard mean difference (SMD) 2·48, credible interval [CrI] 0.23 to 4.46], group based counseling (SMD 1·36, CrI 0·40 to 3·17) had significantly greater effects than usual care. Participants assigned to all assessed interventions had a significantly improvement in depression compared with usual care, except for those assigned to psychoeducational therapy (SMD 0.02, 95% CrI -0.11 to 0.15).

This review shows that cognitive behavioral therapy, group based counseling and exercise may have significant beneficial effects considering SF-36 and HADS when compared with usual care. However, additional well-done research studies are necessary to establish the role of psychosocial interventions in men with PCa.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.