Boesen, E.H., Karlsen, R., Christensen, J., Paaschburg, B., Nielsen, D., Bloch, I.S., . . . Johansen, C. (2011). Psychosocial group intervention for patients with primary breast cancer: A randomised trial. European Journal of Cancer, 47, 1363–1372.
To test the effects of a group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention on psychosocial symptoms in women with breast cancer
One to two weeks after surgery, women who agreed to participate were randomly assigned to a psychosocial intervention or a usual-care control group. The intervention consisted of 12 hours of education over a two-week period. Education provided information about treatment modalities, side effects, social rights, healthful diet, stress management, cognitive reframing, and sexuality issues. The intervention then involved meetings of eight women. Each group met weekly, in a 2.5-hour session, for eight weeks. In the sessions, the women shared experiences to reveal negative thinking and integrate the elements of cognitive therapy. Follow-up was up at 1, 6, and 12 months.
Randomized controlled trial
At no time in the study did differences exist between groups in regard to mood disturbances, quality of life, or marital relationships.
The psychosocial intervention, consisting of cognitive behavioral techniques, had no effect on depression, anxiety, quality of life, or marital relationship.
The CBT intervention tested had no observable effect on depression or anxiety in women with breast cancer.