Weißflog, G., Brahler, E., Leuteritz, K., Barthel, Y., Kuhnt, S., Wiltink, J., . . . Beutel, M.E. (2015). Does psychodynamic short-term psychotherapy for depressed breast cancer patients also improve fatigue? Results from a randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 152, 581–588.
To describe the course of fatigue in depressed patients with breast cancer and determine the effect of psychodynamic therapy on fatigue
Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care group. Usual care patients were given written information about local counseling resources and given diagnostic information to provide to physicians who could initiate antidepressants or refer them to a psychotherapist. The experimental group was given dynamic short-term psychotherapy adapted to individual needs.
Overall MFI, physical fatigue, and reduced activity scores declined over time more in the psychotherapy group (p < 0.02). Depression, fatigue, and quality of life scores were significantly correlated (p < 0.01).
A short psychotherapeutic intervention to reduce fatigue in women with breast cancer was associated with a significant reduction in fatigue over time.
The results of this study showed that a psychotherapy intervention to reduce depression also had a positive impact on fatigue, and that fatigue, depression, and quality of life were correlated. These findings point to the importance of identifying and managing depression in patients with cancer not only to reduce depression but to have positive effects on symptoms of fatigue and quality of life.