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. 2010;5(2):91-96.
doi: 10.1159/000297739. Epub 2010 Apr 23.

Implementation and Benefits of Psychooncological Group Interventions in German Breast Centers: A Pilot Study on Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy for Women with Primary Breast Cancer

Katrin Reuter  1 , Isabelle Scholl, Martin Sillem, Annette Hasenburg, Martin Härter
Affiliations

Implementation and Benefits of Psychooncological Group Interventions in German Breast Centers: A Pilot Study on Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy for Women with Primary Breast Cancer

Katrin Reuter et al. Breast Care (Basel). 2010.

Abstract
in English, German

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial treatment is an integral component in today's comprehensive breast cancer care. The main goal of this study was to test the feasibility (benefits and acceptance) of supportive-expressive group psychotherapy (SEGT), a short-term breast cancer-specific group therapy developed and tested in Anglo-American countries, within breast centers in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was realized as a single-group pre-post design. Data were analyzed by combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The sample consisted of 49 women with breast cancer stage 1 or 2 according to TNM classification (tumor, node, metastasis). RESULTS: The results indicate positive acceptance of the group intervention. Quality of life, tumor-related fatigue and coping strategies improved after SEGT. 1 year after the intervention, the patients report lasting positive results from the group intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study illustrates the importance of psychooncological group interventions for breast cancer patients and indicates that this form of outpatient psychooncological care is feasible within the German health care system, and breast centers in particular. Effectiveness has to be investigated in randomized controlled trials.

Hintergrund: Psychosoziale Behandlungsangebote sind heute integraler Bestandteil der Brustkrebsbehandlung. Die vorliegende Studie hatte zum Ziel, die Durchführbarkeit (Nutzen und Akzeptanz) einer supportiv-expressiven Gruppenpsychotherapie (SEGT), einer in anglo-amerikanischen Ländern entwickelten und getesteten psychoonkologischen Kurzzeitintervention für Brustkrebspatientinnen, in der Routineversorgung von Brustzentren in Deutschland zu überprüfen.

Patientinnen und Methoden: Die Studie wurde als Eingruppen-Prä-Post-Design durchgeführt. Für die Datenerhebung und -analyse wurden quantivative und qualitative Forschungsmethoden kombiniert. Die Stichprobe bestand aus 49 Frauen mit primärem Brustkrebs (Tumorstadien T1 und T2, nach TNM-Klassifikation (Tumor, Lymphknoten, Metastasen)).

Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse deuten auf eine gute Akzeptanz der Gruppenintervention hin. Nach der SEGT zeigten sich Verbesserungen im Bereich der Lebensqualität, der tumorbedingten Fatigue und der Krankheitsverarbeitung. Ein Jahr nach Abschluss der Gruppenintervention berichten die Patientinnen anhaltend positive Ergebnisse.

Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie unterstreicht die Bedeutung psychoonkologischer Gruppentherapien für Brustkrebspatientinnen und zeigt, dass diese Form der ambulanten psychoonkologischen Behandlung in Brustkrebszentren in Deutschland durchführbar ist. Im Rahmen zukünftiger Forschung sollten präzise Wirksamkeiten und langfristige Effekte durch randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien untersucht werden.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Treatment scheme.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Satisfaction with supportive-expressive group therapy (ranging from 1 = very bad to 5 = excellent).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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