Caring-Healing Modalities for Emotional Distress and Resilience in Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review Guided by Watson’s Theory

Background: /Objectives: Caring-healing modalities (CHMs), i.e., non-pharmacological, nurse-led interventions rooted in caring science, have shown promise in reducing emotional distress while enhancing resilience. CHMs are heterogeneous, making it challenging to determine how they are formulated to build resilience, mitigate emotional distress, and explore their mechanisms of action. This scoping review mapped the literature on CHMs, including components, targeted outcomes, and measures. Methods: This review followed the JBI methodology and was guided by Watson’s theory of unitary human caring. Experimental studies, systematic reviews, opinion pieces, and gray literature on CHMs for emotional distress and resilience delivered to adults who underwent oncological treatment(s), written in English, were considered. No date or setting limits were applied. Eleven databases were searched. Two independent reviewers screened, selected, and extracted data. Results were interpreted using Watson’s theory. Results: We included 16 records (2016-2025), mostly from the United States (n = 4; 25%) and China (n = 6; 37.5%). CHMs mainly targeted persons with breast cancer. CHMs were categorized into four groups: Mindfulness-Based, Group-Based, Expressive, and Educational. Common active ingredients included peer support and group discussions. Dedicated healing spaces facilitated CHMs delivery; mode of delivery and dose varied widely. Conclusions: This review provides a foundational understanding of CHMs as a caring-based, holistic approach to cancer survivorship. Findings identify CHMs’ key components, including active ingredients, mode of delivery, and dose. Future studies should ensure diversity in terms of cancer type, as most existing studies focused on women with breast cancer.