To systematically analyze and evaluate the psychological experience of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) in breast cancer patients.

The qualitative study on the CIA psychological experience of breast cancer patients was searched through computers in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database, WanFang Data and VIP. The search period was from the establishment of the database to October 15, 2022. The quality evaluation of literature that met the criteria was conducted using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center in Australia, and the results of each study were further integrated and analyzed.

A total of 11 articles were included and 59 clear themes were extracted. The similar themes were summarized into 12 new categories and integrated into 4 synthesized results, namely, breast cancer patients' differential coping styles with alopecia, different psychological feelings, difficulties and challenges they faced, and desire for support and needs.

CIA affects the physical and mental health and social interaction of breast cancer patients. Medical and nursing staff should pay attention to the cognition and experience of breast cancer patients on alopecia symptoms, establish effective communication between nurses and patients, strengthen health education on alopecia knowledge, encourage patients to actively respond, so as to reduce alopecia problems and improve the quality of life.

Breast neoplasms; Alopecia; Psychological experience; Qualitative study; Meta-synthesis