Arving, C., Sjödén, P. O., Bergh, J., Hellbom, M., Johansson, B., Glimelius, B., & Brandberg, Y. (2007). Individual psychosocial support for breast cancer patients: a randomized study of nurse versus psychologist interventions and standard care. Cancer Nursing, 30, E10–E19.
To compare if individual psychosocial support for patients with breast cancer provided by oncology nurses specially trained in cognitive behavioral techniques was as effective as that given by psychologists or standard care.
Patients received individualized psychosocial support interventions using cognitive behavioral techniques, such as relaxation, distraction, activity scheduling, and ways to improve communication. The frequency of sessions varied based on patients' perceptions of need. Patients were randomized in blocks of nine into one of three alternatives: 60 received individual psychosocial support by a specially trained oncology nurse, 60 received it from a psychologist, and 59 received standard care. Outcomes measured were quality of life (QOL), fatigue, nausea, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties.
The study was conducted at the Department of Oncology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a prospective, randomized, quasiexperimental study using repeated measures at baseline and at one, three, and six months.
The results revealed statistically significant group by time interactions for global QOL and health status, nausea and vomiting, and systemic therapy side effects. Intervention groups showed statistical differences on the insomnia, dyspnea, and financial difficulties EORTC subscales, in favor of one or both of the interventions.