Objective: The aim of this paper was to review the evidence regarding the p
ossibility of a relationship between psychological intervention and surviva
l time of cancer patients. Method: A literature search was conducted using
CD ROM databases to identify studies which have evaluated the effects of ps
ychological interventions on the survival time of cancer patients. The iden
tified studies were critically reviewed. Results: Eight studies which used
scientifically acceptable methodology to examine this question were identif
ied. Three of these studies found evidence for a relationship between psych
ological intervention and patients' survival time, while five did not. Meth
odological issues and potentially confounding factors are discussed. Conclu
sion: To date, a direct relationship between psychological intervention and
patient survival time has not been conclusively demonstrated. Large-scale
replication studies which are currently under way will provide more conclus
ive evidence on this question within the next few years. (C) 2000 Elsevier
Science Inc. All rights reserved.