Cognitive-behavior group intervention for relatives of cancer patients: a controlled study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of cognitive-behavior (CB) group intervention on the psychological distress and adjustment of relatives of cancer patients with a primary disease.

Methods: A total of 52 relatives of cancer patients participated in a CB group intervention, whereas another 52 served as control subjects. All participants completed preintervention and postintervention measures and a 4-month follow-up questionnaire consisting of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), the Mini Sleep Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; participants in the group intervention also reported compliance with home practice.

Results: Participants in the intervention group scored significantly lower than the control subjects on the BSI and the PAIS, recorded fewer sleep difficulties in the postintervention and follow-up measures, and reported higher perceived support in the follow-up measure. By contrast, no significant change was observed in the control group during the study period. On the reliable change index, 30.8% of the intervention participants but only 3.9% of the control subjects had statistically significant improvements in their psychological distress. Improvement in the intervention group was associated with higher compliance with home practice.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the positive effect of a CB group intervention for family members, which lasted for 4 months after the intervention ended.