Correlation Between Sense of Coherence (SOC) and Quality of Life (QOL) in Cancer Patients; A Systematic Review

AbstractObjective: Quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients is more important than being only alive. In all types of cancers, treatments and complications of treatments affect patients’ quality of life directly and indirectly. So finding ways to improve the quality of life in cancer patients is one of the priorities of the health system. One effective way is the improvement of the sense of coherence (SOC) which is one of the components of salthogenic medicine. In this research, we investigated the effect of sense of coherence on quality of life in cancer patients through a systematic review.Method: As the research method was a systematic review, in our search strategy, we searched some databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, web of science, and Embase. At first, we studied all the articles, and based on their title, we chose some of them. Then based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, appropriate and related articles were selected. CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Program) checklist was used to evaluate the articles. Finally, eight articles remained for analysis. Then the results were extracted and synthesized.Result: In this review, it was found that in most studies there was a strong association between SOC and QOL, but some variables, such as age and stage of cancer, could impress the degree of this association. The differences between the kinds of questions in different questionnaires might be the result of these differences. Conclusion: Taken together, there is a moderate correlation between SOC and QOL and some other factors can influence both of them, so we should do more research to find the factors that can improve the SOC in cancer patients.