Ling, C.C., Lui, L.Y., & So, W.K. (2012). Do educational interventions improve cancer patients' quality of life and reduce pain intensity? Quantitative systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(3), 511–520.

To complete a systematic review to evaluate the effect of patient education on the pain intensity, pain interference, and quality of life of patients with cancer 

• Databases searched were MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE).
• Search keywords were cancer, malignancy, neoplasm, tumor, nursing, pain, pain management, educational intervention, coaching, training, barriers, mood, well-being, wellness, anxiety, functional ability, patient teaching, patient education, quality of life, and systematic review.
• Studies were included if they
  • Were randomized controlled trials of pain education for cancer patients
  • Were published in English
  • Involved adults with cancer-related pain and educational intervention in the form of information, instructions, or advice via written or auditory means by a healthcare provider to a patient with cancer
  • Included quality-of-life measures based on functional status, perceived pain control, well-being, anxiety, satisfaction with pain treatment, pain interference, physical functioning, and pain intensity and interference
• Studies were excluded if they involved only caregivers or family members or if they used measures of quality of life or pain as the only outcome measures.
   

The search retrieved 68 references. Authors considered 23 references. Authors evaluated studies on the basis of methodological quality assessment; two independent reviewers assessed all studies by using the Jadad scoring system. In the event of a discrepancy, a third reviewer evaluated the study. Data were obtained by means of the PICO (participants, interventions, comparison, and outcomes) approach. The study employed six different instruments to measure quality of life across four studies; two instruments were used to evaluate pain (three studies used the Brief Pain Inventory).

• The final number of studies analyzed was four.
• The sample size, across studies, was 647 patients. The sample range was 97–189 patients.
• Patients were American or Australian, 55–62 years old, and recruited from outpatient clinics. The sample included various types of pain and cancer diagnoses.

Clinical applications: late effects and survivorship, palliative care

Pain scores decreased as a result of the educational interventions in each study, but effects of education on quality of life were not statistically significant.

A limited number of studies evaluating effects of education on cancer pain and quality of life are available. Based on available studies, education about pain has little effect on quality of life in the specified patient population.

• The studies used different tools to evaluate quality of life
• Whether authors assessed methodological quality is unclear.