Effects of Non‐Pharmacological Interventions on Psychological Distress in Patients With Malignant Tumors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT Background The incidence of psychological distress in patients with malignant tumors is high, which seriously affects the treatment compliance and quality of life of patients and even reduces the survival time. Non‐pharmacological interventions are acceptable to patients because of their minor side effects. However, among the numerous interventions, which non‐pharmacological intervention has demonstrated the most significant effect is still unclear. Aims This study aimed to compare the efficacy of different non‐pharmacological interventions on psychological distress in patients with malignant tumors. Methods The databases, including Wanfang databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO, were searched systematically for randomized controlled trials on non‐pharmacological interventions for psychological distress in patients with malignant tumors that were published up to July 5, 2025. Revman 5.3 and Stata 18.0 were used for paired and network meta‐analysis, respectively. Results A total of 43 randomized controlled trials were included. The area under the cumulative sorting curve was ranked as Naikan Morita therapy (99.6%) > acceptance and commitment therapy (79.0%) > music therapy (78.3%) > logotherapy (77.8%) > behavioral activation (67.5%) > solution‐focused nursing (66.1%) > dignity therapy (51.2%) > mindfulness‐based stress reduction (50.6%) > mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (46.7%) > Mika app (39.8%) > psychological education (38.5%) > multi‐dimensional collaborative nursing (29.0%) > life review therapy (26.0%) > exercise therapy (14.7%) > usual care (5.0%). Linking Evidence Action Non‐pharmacological interventions had overall benefits in reducing the psychological distress of patients with malignant tumors, especially Naikan Morita therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, music therapy and logotherapy. However, more high‐quality randomized controlled trials are still needed to obtain more reliable conclusions.