Abstract
ObjectiveMeaning‐centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors (MCGP‐CS) is an effective intervention to improve personal meaning, psychological well‐being, and depressive symptoms until 6 months after the intervention. In this study, the long‐term effects of MCGP‐CS (i.e., at 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up) on meaning, psychological well‐being and posttraumatic growth were assessed, in comparison to supportive group psychotherapy (SGP) and care as usual (CAU).MethodsCancer survivors (n = 170) were randomized into MCGP‐CS, SGP, or CAU. Assessments were scheduled at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postintervention. Outcome measures were the Personal Meaning Profile, Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well‐Being (SPWB), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and their subscales. Linear mixed models (LMM) were used and results were both reported on an intention‐to‐treat (ITT) basis, as well as for intervention completers only.ResultsLMM and post hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction revealed that MCGP‐CS participants reported more improvement on positive relations (subscale of SPWB) than CAU participants of 2‐year postintervention (ITT analysis, Cohen's d = .82). Completers also reported more personal growth (subscale of SPWB) after MCGP‐CS than after SGP 1‐year postintervention (Cohen's d = .94). No long‐term effects were found on the other outcome measures.ConclusionsIn the 2 years after MCGP‐CS, the short‐term significant effects on personal meaning and most positive effects related to psychological well‐being faded. However, MCGP‐CS had a long‐term positive effect on positive relations with others and on survivors' sense of personal growth.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NTR3571
Highlights
Many cancer survivors encounter physical hindrances and are confronted with psychosocial and existential problems, years after curative treatment is completed.1,2 There is growing evidence that meaning-focused coping is a viable way to successfully adjust to the aftermath of cancer,2 especially if meaning can be made from the cancer experience.3,4 Breitbart and colleagues developed meaningcentered group psychotherapy (MCGP) to improve psychological wellbeing in patients with advanced cancer.5,6 This intervention is grounded in the work of the psychiatrist Viktor Frankl,7 founder of logotherapy
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among advanced cancer patients, MCGP was more effective than supportive group psychotherapy (SGP) in improving quality of life, spiritual well-being, and reducing depression and hopelessness
The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term follow-up results of the RCT on the efficacy of MCGP was adapted for cancer survivors (MCGP-CS) by Van der Spek et al
Summary
Many cancer survivors encounter physical hindrances and are confronted with psychosocial and existential problems, years after curative treatment is completed. There is growing evidence that meaning-focused coping is a viable way to successfully adjust to the aftermath of cancer, especially if meaning can be made from the cancer experience. Breitbart and colleagues developed meaningcentered group psychotherapy (MCGP) to improve psychological wellbeing in patients with advanced cancer. This intervention is grounded in the work of the psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, founder of logotherapy (ie, meaning therapy). In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among advanced cancer patients, MCGP was more effective than supportive group psychotherapy (SGP) in improving quality of life, spiritual well-being, and reducing depression and hopelessness. These improvements were sustained during the 2-month follow-up period.. Van der Spek et al. found in a RCT among cancer survivors that MCGP-CS had larger treatment effects than CAU on personal meaning, goal orientedness, purpose in life, positive relations (all post intervention) and depressive symptoms (follow-up). Survivors' sense of personal meaning as well as psychological well-being and posttraumatic growth were compared for MCGP-CS, SGP, and CAU until 2 years after the intervention, both for all participants (intention-to-treat, ITT), and only for those who completed the intervention. Insight into the long-term MCGP-CS effects reveals whether this intervention supports survivors enduringly to experience a sense of meaning, well-being, and growth, despite the limitations of having had cancer
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