Lindemalm, C., Mozaffari, F., Choudhury, A., Granstam-Björneklett, H., Lekander, M., Nilsson, B., . . . Mellstedt, H. (2008). Immune response, depression and fatigue in relation to support intervention in mammary cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer, 16(1), 57-65.
To examine the effect of a support intervention on immune function and levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in breast cancer patients after completion of surgery and adjuvant treatment
Authors chose 41 women from an ongoing prospective randomized study. The first patients in each stratum of treatment were chosen for the current study. Of the 41 women, 21 received adjuvant combined radiochemotherapy (CT-RT) and 20 women received radiotherapy (RT). Eleven women (CT-RT) were randomized to the support group, and 10 women (RT) were randomized to the support group. Ten CT-RT and 10 RT patients served as controls. The support intervention consisted of educational lectures about cancer etiology risk factors, treatment, psychological and physical effects, and coping. Exercise, relaxation training, qigong, and art therapy were also included. The intervention was provided for one week and, two months later, for another four days. Study measures were obtained at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Phase of care: transition phase after initial treatment
Randomized controlled trial
The support intervention had no effect on depression or immune parameters. The intervention did not appear to cause any difference in improvement of anxiety and fatigue over time.
Findings do not support effectiveness of the intervention tested here. Results show that levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue reduced significantly over time.