A feasibility study of psychosocial group intervention for breast cancer patients with first recurrence

Abstract

Goals of work: The effects of psychosocial group interventions on improving quality of life (QOL) for patients with recurrent breast cancer are not well known. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a psychosocial group intervention in Japanese women with first recurrence of breast cancer.

Patients and method: The subjects were consecutively selected from among patients who were diagnosed with a first recurrence of breast cancer. We conducted a 6-week psychosocial group intervention. QOL was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale, and the European Organization for Research and the Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer 30/Breast module 23 (QLQ-C30/Br23) at baseline then immediately and 3 and 6 months after completion of the intervention.

Results: Among 58 eligible patients, written consent was obtained from 28 (48%), and the final evaluation was conducted on 19 subjects. The repeated measured analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant change in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility and total mood disturbance on the POMS, helplessness/hopelessness on the MAC scale, and body image and future perspective on the QLQ-C30/Br23. Dunnett's test revealed a significant difference in these scores between baseline and 3 months after the intervention but no difference between baseline and 6 months after the intervention.

Conclusion: These results suggested the possibility of a short-term effectiveness of the intervention; however the results were inconclusive because of selected small samples.