Quintard, B., & Lakdja, F. (2008). Assessing the effect of beauty treatments on psychological distress, body image, and coping: A longitudinal study of patients undergoing surgical procedures for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 17, 1032–1038.
To evaluate, postsurgically, the impact of beauty treatments, in combination with routine cancer care, on body image, psychological distress, and coping in patients with breast cancer
Intervention beauty treatments occurred at the hospital during the first week postsurgery. Intervention treatments included manicures, pedicures, makeup, depilation, hairdressing, and massages. The control group received routine medical care. Data collection occurred at baseline (the day before surgery), at six days postsurgery (Time 1), and at three months postsurgery (Time 2).
Active treatment
Randomized prospective controlled trial
Depression scores measured by HADS increased significantly over time in both groups (p < 0.001). Anxiety scores measured by HADS decreased significantly over time in both groups (p < 0.001). Investigators noted no significant intergroup difference or interaction effect for both depression and anxiety. Three months after surgery, the intervention group reported higher body-image scores. Patients' perception of helplessness and hopelessness increased over time in the control group but not in the intervention group (p < 0.05).
Overall, this study did not find that beauty treatment had an effect on psychological distress and coping styles.
Cost-effectiveness needs to be examined, particularly given the fact that the investigation yielded no significant findings.