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

T Yavuzsen,M Dirioz,R Cehreli,D Karadibak

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.11.5593

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy excluding skin cancers, and the second leading the cause of cancer death among women (DeSantis et al, 2011)
The responses add up to a score between 20 and 80, with higher scores indicating higher levels of state and trait anxiety, respectively. This pilot study examined the effect of the group therapy on quality of life, and psychological symptoms in patients with breast cancer
The results showed a positive acceptance of the group intervention and high satisfaction levels by our participants

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy excluding skin cancers, and the second leading the cause of cancer death among women (DeSantis et al, 2011). The treatment modalities have improved in recent years, and the number of women who live longer with breast cancer is increasing Such prolonged and intensive medical treatments may take a heavy toll on the physical, functional, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of cancer survivors. 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. Stress management appeared to be more efficacious than social support alone, though one study found similar effects of a coping intervention and supportive counseling (Manne et al, 2007). Helgeson et al (2000) compared to three support group interventions with the control group

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