scholarly journals Efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1990-2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. van der Spek ◽  
J. Vos ◽  
C. F. van Uden-Kraan ◽  
W. Breitbart ◽  
P. Cuijpers ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors (MCGP-CS) to improve personal meaning, compared with supportive group psychotherapy (SGP) and care as usual (CAU).MethodA total of 170 cancer survivors were randomly assigned to one of the three study arms: MCGP-CS (n = 57); SGP (n = 56); CAU (n = 57). The primary outcome measure was the Personal Meaning Profile (PMP; total score). Secondary outcome measures were subscales of the PMP, psychological well-being (Scales of Psychological Well-being; SPWB), post-traumatic growth (Posttraumatic Growth Inventory), Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC), optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised), hopelessness (Beck's Hopelessness Scale), psychological distress (anxiety and depression, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS) and quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire; EORTC QLQ-C30). Outcome measures were assessed before randomization, post-intervention, and after 3 and 6 months of follow-up (FU).ResultsLinear mixed model analyses (intention-to-treat) showed significant differences between MCGP-CS, SGP and CAU on the total PMP score, and on (sub)scales of the PMP, SPWB, MAC and HADS. Post-hoc analyses showed significantly stronger treatment effects of MCGP-CS compared with CAU on personal meaning (d = 0.81), goal-orientedness (d = 1.07), positive relations (d = 0.59), purpose in life (d = 0.69); fighting spirit (d = 0.61) (post-intervention) and helpless/hopeless (d = −0.87) (3 months FU); and distress (d = −0.6) and depression (d = −0.38) (6 months FU). Significantly stronger effects of MCGP-CS compared with SGP were found on personal growth (d = 0.57) (3 months FU) and environmental mastery (d = 0.66) (6 months FU).ConclusionsMCGP-CS is an effective intervention for cancer survivors to improve personal meaning, psychological well-being and mental adjustment to cancer in the short term, and to reduce psychological distress in the long run.

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (14) ◽  
pp. 5927-5936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munir Abu-Helalah ◽  
Motasem Al-Hanaqta ◽  
Hussam Alshraideh ◽  
Nada Abdulbaqi ◽  
Jameel Hijazeen

2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1948-1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis N. Butow ◽  
Lynley Aldridge ◽  
Melanie L. Bell ◽  
Ming Sze ◽  
Maurice Eisenbruch ◽  
...  

Cancer ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Ferrell ◽  
Stephany L. Smith ◽  
Carey A. Cullinane ◽  
Cindy Melancon

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-213
Author(s):  
Thalia Bellali ◽  
Georgios Manomenidis ◽  
Eirini Meramveliotaki ◽  
Evgenia Minasidou ◽  
Petros Galanis

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 3385-3393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Holtmaat ◽  
Nadia van der Spek ◽  
Birgit I. Witte ◽  
William Breitbart ◽  
Pim Cuijpers ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Cecile J. Proctor ◽  
◽  
Danie A. Beaulieu ◽  
Anthony J. Reiman ◽  
Lisa A. Best ◽  
...  

"It is now recognized that the ""cancer experience"" extends beyond diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care. Relative to individuals who have not faced a cancer diagnosis, cancer survivors report increased mental health concerns and lowered physical and psychological well-being (Langeveld et al., 2004). Health-related quality of life encompasses overall physical (e.g., energy, fatigue, pain, etc.) and psychological functioning (e.g., emotional well-being, etc.), as well as general health perceptions (Hays & Morales, 2001). Nayak and colleagues (2017) reported that 82.3% of cancer patients had below-average quality of life scores, with the lowest scores found in the general, physical, and psychological well-being domains. Research suggests that various positive lifestyle variables, including social connectedness, leisure activity, and mindfulness practices are associated with increased quality of life in cancer patients (Courtens et al., 1996; Fangel et al., 2013; Garland et al., 2017). In this study, 350 cancer survivors completed an online questionnaire package that included a detailed demographic questionnaire with medical and online support and leisure activity questions. Additional measures were included to assess quality of life (QLQ-C30; Aaronson et al., 1993), social connectedness (Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, SELSA-S; DiTommaso et al., 2004), and mindfulness (Adolescent and Adult Mindfulness Scale, AAMS; Droutman et al., 2018). Results show that increased QOL is predicted by increased medical support, lower family loneliness, self-acceptance, and engaging in a variety of leisure activities. Encouraging family support, including the patient in the decision-making process, encouraging a variety of physically possible leisure activities, and normalizing negative emotions surrounding diagnosis and disease symptoms are all ways that overall QoL can be improved."


2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nicole Culos-Reed ◽  
Linda Carlson ◽  
Lisa Daroux ◽  
Susi Hately-Aldous

Physical activity provides a number of physical and psychological benefits to cancer survivors, including lessening the impact of detrimental cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects (e.g., fatigue, nausea)and improving overall well-being and quality of life. The purpose of the present pilot study was to examine the physical and psychological benefits afforded by a seven-week Yoga program for cancer survivors within the framework of the theory of planned behavior. The Yoga program participants (M age=51.18 [10.33]; 92%female) included primarily breast cancer survivors, on average 55.95 (54.39) months post-diagnosis. Significant differences between the intervention group (n=20)and the control group (n=18) at post-intervention were seen in both psychosocial (i.e., global quality of life,stress, emotional function, emotional irritability, mood disturbance, tension, depression, anger, confusion) and physical (i.e., resting heart rate, cardiovascular endurance, cardiopulmonary arousal) variables (all p's<.05). There were also significant improvements(all p's<.05) in the program participants from pre- to post-intervention on a number of physical and psychosocial variables. These initial findings suggest that Yoga has significant potential and should be further explored as a beneficial physical activity option for cancer survivors. Future research might attempt to include a broader range of participants (e.g., other types of cancer diagnoses, more male subjects) in a randomized,controlled trial.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23060-e23060
Author(s):  
Tarah Jean Ballinger ◽  
Sandra K. Althouse ◽  
Timothy P. Olsen ◽  
Kathy Miller ◽  
Jeffrey Sledge

e23060 Background: Despite survival and quality of life benefits associated with physical activity (PA), many breast cancer survivors remain inactive. Effective, sustainable PA interventions must account for individual differences in capability, motivation, and environment. iMETX evaluated the feasibility, mechanics, and efficacy of delivering an individualized, dynamic intervention to increase energetic capacity and energy expenditure in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Stage 0-III breast cancer pts who had completed primary treatment were enrolled. Baseline PA patterns were collected using a wearable GPS/accelerometer for 4 weeks pre- intervention. Detailed movement data collection continued throughout the 12- week intervention, during which pts received tailored PA “prescriptions” every 1-3 days from an interactive web application, adjusted based on individual capability and environment to achieve pre- determined energy endpoints. Baseline and post- intervention, energetic capacity was assessed by power generation using a stationary bicycle protocol feasible in the clinic setting over a range of physical capabilities. Body composition by DEXA and quality of life questionnaires were collected. Results: 56 of 57 enrolled pts completed the intervention (98%). Median age was 60 (range 38 – 82), and pts were an average of 5.25 yrs from diagnosis (range 0.5 – 21 yrs). In the total population, energetic capacity (Watts/kg lean mass) increased significantly from 1.75 to 1.99 W/kg (p < 0.01) post- intervention. Separated by baseline energetic capacity, the lowest performing tertile improved significantly (0.76 to 1.12 W/kg, p < 0.01), while the highest performing tertile did not (2.75 to 2.96 W/kg, p = 0.30). Physical and functional well-being also improved (FACT-B TOI, pre: 72.26, post: 74.66, p = 0.02). Conclusions: iMETx is a feasible PA intervention with high adherence rates. Individualized PA prescriptions allowing pts to move in their typical environment resulted in improved energetic capacity and well- being. Results were particularly significant in those with the lowest baseline energetic capacity, a population most in need of effective and accessible PA interventions. Clinical trial information: NCT03158519.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4548-4548 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Wiechno ◽  
M. A. Sadowska ◽  
K. S. Kubiak ◽  
T. Demkow ◽  
J. Kaminska

4548 Background: Testicular cancer is a highly curable neoplasm and treated patients may potentially survive many decades. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of hormonal abnormalities among testicular cancer survivors and the effect of these changes on patients’ quality of life. Methods: Men with complete remission of testicular cancer lasting over 2 years were eligible. Patients completed State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF), Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) and rated their physical and psychological well-being, quality of life and relationship with partners. Levels of the following hormons were determined: testosterone, estradiol, thyreotropin, folicule stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin. Relations between hormone levels and questionaires results were analysed. Results: A total of 326 men were tested from November 2004 till December 2005. Median age was 37 years (range: 18–72). Median disease free survival was 59 months (range: 19–291). Only 24% of patients had all tested hormones within normal ranges. The most common of endocrine abnormalities were gonadotropins over normal (LH - 55% and FSH - 49% of cases) and lowered testosterone (15%). Percentage of patients with abnormal anxiety levels was 27% (STAI) and 28% (HADS), depression rate was 15% (BDI) and 18% (HADS), 40% of patients had erectile disfunction. Hormone levels and scores of the used scales corelated strongly with patients’ age, then a linear regression analysis was performed to exclude the influence of age factor. It was shown that higher depression levels in BDI are found amongst patients with elevated LH (p = 0.010) or FSH (p = 0.017). Men with higher than normal FSH were more anxious in STAI (p = 0.026). Patients with overnormal LH shown more sexual problems in SFQ (p = 0.030). Abnormal gonadotropins levels corelated with a deteriorated physical well-being (p = 0.028). Men with abnormal estradiol were more prone to erectile disfunction (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Hormonal abnormalities are frequent among testicular cancer survivors and have negative impact on the patients’ physical and psychological well-being as well as on their sexual functioning. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


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