Cognitive behavioral stress management is an effective intervention to relieve anxiety and depression, improve the quality of life in patients with cervical cancer.

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) modifies individuals' maladaptive cognition and improves their ability in managing stress. The present study was to inquire about the utility of CBSM in mental health and quality of life in patients with cervical cancer. Totally, 172 postoperative cervical cancer patients were randomly classified into CBSM (N=86) and normal care group (N=86) to receive 8-week CBSM and normal care, correspondingly. Self-rating anxiety/depression scale (SAS/SDS), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-C30) scores were evaluated at discharge (M0), 1st month (M1), M3, and M6 after discharge. SAS scores at M6 (P=0.003), M1 (P=0.042), and M3 (P=0.010), and the proportion of patients with SAS-defined anxiety at M3 (P=0.040) and M6 (P=0.019) were reduced in CBSM group versus normal care group. SDS scores at M3 (P=0.020) and M6 (P=0.016), and the proportion of patients with SDS-defined depression at M6 (P=0.036) was descended in CBSM group versus normal care group. EQ-VAS score at M1 (P=0.044), M3 (P=0.014), and M6 (P=0.002) were increased, while EQ-5D score at M3 (P=0.030) was descended in CBSM group versus normal care group. Meanwhile, QLQ-C30 global health status score at M1 (P=0.046), M3 (P=0.037), and M6 (P=0.007), QLQ-C30 function score at M3 (P=0.033) and M6 (P=0.016) were ascended, but QLQ-C30 symptom score at M3 (P=0.042) was declined in CBSM group versus normal care group. CBSM is an effective intervention for decreasing anxiety and depression, and improving quality of life in patients with cervical cancer.