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Treatment-Related Optimism Protects Quality of Life in a Phase II Clinical Trial for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Patients on clinical trials often experience declining quality of life (QOL). Little is known about the psychosocial variables that buffer against decline.

Purpose

This study aims to examine correlations between psychosocial variables and QOL over the course of a clinical trial in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer.

Methods

At baseline, 114 participants completed measures of treatment-related optimism, social support, and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General). QOL was also assessed 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of treatment with low-dose or intermediate-dose interferon.

Results

QOL decreased significantly in the intermediate-dose group but not in the low-dose group (p < .01). The decline was less severe for patients who had high rather than low treatment optimism (p = .03). A higher level of social support was significantly associated with higher baseline QOL (p < .05) but a more rapid decline in QOL over time (p < .01).

Conclusion

Treatment optimism was favorably associated with QOL.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship PF-10-013-01-CPPB awarded to Kathrin Milbury, Ph.D.

Conflicts of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1330, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, TX, 77230-1439, USA

    Kathrin Milbury Ph.D.

  2. Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Nizar M. Tannir M.D.

  3. Department of General Oncology/Integrative Medicine Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1330, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, TX, 77230-1439, USA

    Lorenzo Cohen Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Kathrin Milbury Ph.D.
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  2. Nizar M. Tannir M.D.
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  3. Lorenzo Cohen Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kathrin Milbury Ph.D..

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Milbury, K., Tannir, N.M. & Cohen, L. Treatment-Related Optimism Protects Quality of Life in a Phase II Clinical Trial for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. ann. behav. med. 42, 313–320 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9301-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9301-1

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