Exploring psychotherapeutic strategies in cancer care: A bibliometric analysis of the last two decades

The approximate comorbidity of psychiatric disorders like adjustment disorder, delirium, and depression and anxiety is 25.2%, 21%, and 11.1%, respectively, in Indian tertiary cancer care. This makes the psychotherapeutic management of cancer patients pertinent. The current study aims to explore the key areas and trends in the psychotherapeutic management of oncology patients, enabling a comprehensive and informed approach to care. The data were sourced from the widely used SCOPUS database ( n = 5088 records) on October 24, 2024, using the query = ((“psychotherapy” OR “psychological techniques” AND “oncology” OR “cancer” from 2004 to 2024)). Following the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 5088 documents relevant to the study were carefully reviewed. Records show an upward trend with major work being pursued in the United States, while a significant gap exists in the Indian subcontinent. Key areas of focus include psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation training, mindfulness, and physical activity aimed at alleviating pain and fatigue, with most studies centered on breast neoplasms. Cancer care is increasingly incorporating psychosocial interventions like psychoeducation, CBT, relaxation training, mindfulness, music therapy, and physical activity to support emotional wellbeing. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these approaches and adapting them for underrepresented regions, such as India.