Abstract
Cancer-related treatments may lead to side effects that undermine a patients’ quality of life (QOL). Although cognitive behavioral therapy plus coping management (CBTM) may appear to improve health-related QOL in cancer patients, limited documentation exists on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for patients with breast cancer (BC) during recovery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of CBTM for sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and health among patients with BC. An experimental study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a CBTM intervention (experimental group = 36, control group = 34). The experimental group received a 12-week CBTM intervention focused on their identity, challenges, the replacement of dysfunctional beliefs, coping skills, relaxation, and rehabilitation exercises, while the control group received usual care. The follow-up evaluations were performed immediately after the intervention (T1), and at one (T2) and three months (T3). The generalized estimating equation (GEE) model showed significant effects from the CBTM intervention over time. The experimental group showed significant improvement in sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and significant increases in their mental and physical QOL from baseline, T1, T2, and T3—except for the mental and physical QOL showing no significant change at T3—while the control group receiving usual care showed no changes over time. The results suggest that CBTM increases sleep quality, reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms, and enhances health-related QOL for participants. CBTM is efficacious and can be provided by nurses to enhance patients’ coping skills and consequently improve their QOL.
Highlights
Breast cancer (BC) is the cancer with the highest incidence in Taiwan [1], and women diagnosed with BC may be presented with a series of challenges and invasive treatments, often resulting in physical and emotional upset [2,3], and struggles with social isolation and adaptation [4]
Regarding quality of life (QOL), we found that the mental QOL (MQOL) was significantly improved in the experimental group than in the control group, but there was a positive time effect at the 12-week CBTM intervention (T1) and T2; the physical QOL (PQOL) was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group in the generalized estimating equation (GEE) results of Table 3, but the time effect was not significant at to 3.56 (T3)
Our findings suggest that Cognitive behavioral therapy plus coping management (CBTM) treatment can be provided by nursing professionals during patients’ outpatient visits, and that the intervention could be provided to both BC patients and survivors to improve their QOL
Summary
Breast cancer (BC) is the cancer with the highest incidence in Taiwan [1], and women diagnosed with BC may be presented with a series of challenges and invasive treatments, often resulting in physical and emotional upset [2,3], and struggles with social isolation and adaptation [4]. CBT can enhance an individual’s ability to deal with their psychosocial and emotional problems, disease comorbidities, and promote their adaptability to their situations. Session One: In the introduction, the participants described their experiences of suffering BC and their physical symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, and outlined their goals for treatment. Session Two: A cognitive behavior model was introduced, and the prevention of complications, lifestyle behavior changes, and coping stress management for patients with BC was discussed. During the sessions, the psychotherapist introduced the concept of stress and coping strategies to help patients address their disease suffering, treatment journey, and management of their symptoms in different conditions. The psychotherapist and the researcher encouraged participants to exchange strategies to recognize their emotional reactions and behavioral techniques
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
