The use of group psychotherapy with cancer patients: A review of recent literature

Harmon, Marsha J.

doi:10.1080/01933929108415587

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Removing the one positive outlier (effect size 2.6, sample size 52) (Johnson, 1982) from the group of 11 trials of more reliable design reduces the effect size by nearly 50% to 0.36 (95% CI 0.095-0.63). Decker Greer 197619781980199119921992 The data from this sample suggest bias in the published subsample: published studies (n = 14) have a mean effect size of 0.51, compared to 0.16 for unpublished theses (n = 5). However, including the unpublished theses in a funnel plot results in a reasonably symmetrical distribution.…”

Section: Anxiety Meta-analysismentioning

confidence: 97%

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The effect of psychological interventions on anxiety and depression in cancer patients: results of two meta-analyses

Sheard

Maguire²

1999

Br J Cancer

493

332

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Between 15 and 40% of cancer patients develop clinical anxiety and/or depression (Derogatis et al, 1983;Massie and Holland, 1990;Parle et al, 1996). Even for those ostensibly cured the prevalence remains appreciably higher than that of the general population a year or more after diagnosis (Devlen et al, 1987). This evidence, combined with significant pressure from service users, has led to increasing provision of psychological interventions in British oncology services. This has been piecemeal (Fallowfield, 1988) and guided more by local factors than evidence of efficacy. There is little evidence based consensus about optimal methods of intervention, appropriate standards for clinical practice and training, or whether service provision is best directed towards prevention or the treatment of disorder (Fallowfield and Roberts, 1992;Hopwood and Maguire, 1992;Brennan and Sheard, 1994).The impact of psychological interventions in oncology on psychosocial, disease, symptom and treatment side-effect outcomes has been evaluated in a relatively large number of trials which vary considerably in their research questions, methodology, settings and results. Meyer and Mark (1995) aggregated all psychological outcomes for 45 such trials and reported a small mean effect size of 0.24 standard deviations for a single aggregate measure of psychological outcome. Their broad entry criteria ensured the inclusion of a large number of trials but the resulting extreme heterogeneity in terms of diversity of research questions and outcome measures render the meaning of this aggregate finding difficult to assess. We conducted, therefore, two metaanalyses of trials of interventions which sought to treat or prevent anxiety and/or depression. The relevance of the findings to clinical practice and service provision is assessed. METHODS Identical methods were used for the two meta-analyses Search strategyMedline, PsycLit and BIDS social sciences computerized databases were searched using the using the keywords cancer, counselling, psychotherapy, psychological therapy, group support/therapy, relaxation, imagery and visualization. Citations in identified papers and reviews (Watson, 1983;Cunningham, 1988;Vachon, 1988;Harman, 1991;Andersen, 1992;Trijsburg et al, 1992), Aslib. index to theses (keywords cancer, counselling and psychotherapy), and Comprehensive Dissertation Abstracts: Psychology (keyword cancer) were manually searched. SummaryThe findings of two meta-analyses of trials of psychological interventions in patients with cancer are presented: the first using anxiety and the second depression, as a main outcome measure. The majority of the trials were preventative, selecting subjects on the basis of a cancer diagnosis rather than on psychological criteria. For anxiety, 25 trials were identified and six were excluded because of missing data. The remaining 19 trials (including five unpublished) had a combined effect size of 0.42 standard deviations in favour of treatment against no-treatment controls (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.74, ...

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Section: Anxiety Meta-analysismentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Citations in identified papers and reviews (Watson, 1983;Cunningham, 1988;Vachon, 1988;Harman, 1991;Andersen, 1992;Trijsburg et al, 1992), Aslib. index to theses (keywords cancer, counselling and psychotherapy), and Comprehensive Dissertation Abstracts: Psychology (keyword cancer) were manually searched.…”

Section: Search Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of psychological interventions on anxiety and depression in cancer patients: results of two meta-analyses

Sheard

Maguire²

1999

Br J Cancer

493

332

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“…Although support groups often contain similar features [1], their functions and forms vary considerably creating difficulty in comparison. Support group participation, incorporating structured therapy has been associated with numerous benefits for cancer patients including improved communication skills, enhanced coping and improved psychological well being [2][3][4]. Although the curative factors identified within such groups including group cohesiveness, the instillation of hope and the opportunity to witness and model the positive coping strategies of other members [1] can often be identified within self help support groups, this does not justify an immediate assumption of the overall benefit to the latter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience, functions and benefits of a cancer support group

Docherty

2004

Patient Education and Counseling

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“…They discuss benefits claimed from these groups and possible contraindications. Harman, 11 in a review of the literature, identifies therapeutic factors in cancer group therapy. Although the content of the sessions in bereavement support groups may differ from those with an oncology focus, the goals (reducing isolation; relieving tension, depression, and fatigue; enhancing coping skills), the techniques used (education, sharing of feelings, providing mutual support, instruction in coping skills), and the therapeutic outcomes identified are similar.…”

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confidence: 99%

Selecting and Implementing Support Groups for Bereaved Adults

Lorenz

1998

Cancer Practice

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Bereavement support is an essential element in the provision of comprehensive oncology care. Predictive models to identify individuals who are at higher risk for psychological distress could be used in oncology clinics to facilitate early referral or greater psychological support for family members. Staff members wishing to introduce this service can build on skills already developed leading traditional oncology support groups, and can utilize cofacilitation with a mental health professional to ease the anxiety of assuming a new role and obtain mentoring. Recruitment for a group might be achieved by inviting family members of patients who have died within a specific time frame or by issuing press releases to local papers and church bulletins. Offering bereavement support in the oncology setting is especially helpful to family members who might otherwise be unaware of such a service and who now have the opportunity to attend.

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The use of group psychotherapy with cancer patients: A review of recent literature

Cited by 10 publications

References 12 publications

The effect of psychological interventions on anxiety and depression in cancer patients: results of two meta-analyses

The effect of psychological interventions on anxiety and depression in cancer patients: results of two meta-analyses

Experience, functions and benefits of a cancer support group

Selecting and Implementing Support Groups for Bereaved Adults

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