Supportive–expressive group therapy for primary breast cancer patients: a randomized prospective multicenter trial

Classen, Catherine; Kraemer, Helena C.; Blasey, Christine; Giese‐Davis, Janine; Koopman, Cheryl; Palesh, Oxana; Atkinson, A.R.; Dimiceli, Sue; Stonisch-Riggs, Gail; Westendorp, Joan; Morrow, Gary R.; Spiegel, David

doi:10.1002/pon.1280

Cited by 100 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The results confirm the effectiveness of CBT group interventions in cancer [22,23,24]. There is mixed support for the effectiveness of supportive-expressive or experiential group therapy in chronic diseases [41,42,43,44,45], but in our study this approach was effective in reducing FoP in cancer patients. During in-patient stay, there was also a reduction in FoP for the control group of cancer patients, which can be understood as part of a general improvement.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Group Psychotherapy of Dysfunctional Fear of Progression in Patients with Chronic Arthritis or Cancer

Herschbach

Berg

Waadt

et al. 2009

Psychother Psychosom

127

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Background: This study investigated the effectiveness of brief psychotherapeutic group interventions in reducing dysfunctional fear of disease progression (FoP). The interventions comprised either cognitive-behavioral group therapy or supportive-experiential group therapy. We tested whether these generic interventions would prove effective in different illness types. Methods: Chronic arthritis in- patients (n = 174) and cancer in-patients (n = 174), respectively, were randomized to receive one of the two interventions. The patients provided data before intervention, at discharge, and at 3 and 12 months of follow-up. FoP was the primary outcome, secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression and quality of life. A treatment-as-usual control group provided data on the primary outcome. Results: Patients with chronic arthritis indicated higher levels of FoP than cancer patients. The results revealed that, compared with no specialized intervention, both group therapies were effective in reducing dysfunctional FoP, but only among cancer patients. The effect sizes were 0.54 (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and 0.50 (supportive experiential therapy). The interventions were not differently effective in reducing the secondary outcomes. Conclusions: Dysfunctional FoP can be effectively targeted with brief group interventions. Psychotherapeutic interventions for reducing FoP should focus on specific illness characteristics.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Group Psychotherapy of Dysfunctional Fear of Progression in Patients with Chronic Arthritis or Cancer

Herschbach

Berg

Waadt

et al. 2009

Psychother Psychosom

127

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“…In accordance, the design of clinical trials testing interventions for the reduction of psychological distress in couples facing cancer-in either patients or their partnershas typically been guided by the implicit assumption that, as a population, unselected couples or individuals facing cancer are sufficiently distressed to register a benefit for intervention [4]. However, recruitment of patient samples lacking in sufficient distress to respond positively has beenintervention trials [5,6]. The risk is that psychosocial interventions will be labeled as inefficacious when they would have been shown to be efficacious when administered to a sample with greater distress [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Course of Distress in Breast Cancer Patients, Their Partners, and Matched Control Couples

et al. 2008

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Background Previous studies offer a limited perspective on the dynamic course of distress in cancer patients and their partners, owing to a restricted number of assessment points and the absence of comparison controls drawn from the general population. Purpose This study investigated the course of distress among breast cancer patients and their partners (N=92 couples) in comparison to matched control couples (N=64). Furthermore, the influence of neuroticism on distress was investigated. Method The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered nine times over a 12-month period, and neuroticism was assessed at the beginning of the study using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.Results Multilevel analyses revealed that patients were more distressed during the first 15 months after diagnosis than nonpatients. A significant portion of the distress that could not be explained by the cancer experience was explained by neuroticism. Conclusion Differences in distress between patients and comparison-control women are relatively small and decreased over time, while distress in male partners was not elevated in comparison to their controls.

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“…Supportive care programs that help patients better understand and cope with their symptoms may result in reduced frequency, duration, and intensity of these physical disease and treatment-related symptoms. Psychological group intervention therapy for cancer patients have been used over the past 20 years (Goodwin et al, 2001;Edwards et al, 2004;Kissane et al, 2007 ;Classen et al, 2008). The aim of these trials is to improve the emotional adjustment of breast cancer patients and prevent the negative psychosocial effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Group Therapy on Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Turkish Patients with Breast Cancer

Yavuzşen¹,

Karadibak²,

Cehreli³

et al. 2012

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the group therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life of patients with early stage breast cancer. Methods: This study was performed on 16 breast cancer patients who completed treatments. The total group therapy program involved a weekly session of 2-3 hours, for 16 weeks. The group therapy sessions were given to women in the oncology department by a clinical psychologist and also given training sections by the different professional teams. All the required assessments for the study were performed after and before 16 week group therapy intervention. Results: Initially we had taken 21 women but 16 participated in all therapy programs and submitted questionnaires. The mean age was 47.8 years. There were significant differences between before and after group therapy program. Anxiety, depression, and distress showed significant improvements. Hopelessness scale was detected at the border of significance. There was no change in sleep problems and quality of life. According to the analysis of correlation, considering the age factor and year of diagnosis, there was found no statistically significant relationship between anxiety, distress, depression, hopelessness, sleeplessness, and quality of life. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that brief, predominantly group therapy is feasible for patients with breast cancer and, also it may be helpful to cope with emotional and physical distress.

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Supportive–expressive group therapy for primary breast cancer patients: a randomized prospective multicenter trial

Abstract: This study provides no evidence of reduction in distress as the result of a brief supportive-expressive intervention for women with primary breast cancer. Future studies might productively focus on women with higher initial levels of distress.

Cited by 100 publications

References 55 publications

Group Psychotherapy of Dysfunctional Fear of Progression in Patients with Chronic Arthritis or Cancer

Group Psychotherapy of Dysfunctional Fear of Progression in Patients with Chronic Arthritis or Cancer

Course of Distress in Breast Cancer Patients, Their Partners, and Matched Control Couples

Effect of Group Therapy on Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Turkish Patients with Breast Cancer

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