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Naturalistic study on the effectiveness of psycho-oncological interventions in cancer patients and their partners

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Abstract

Background

There is evidence for the efficacy of psycho-oncological interventions (POI) in randomized controlled trials for cancer patients. Our objective was to explore, under naturalistic conditions (using propensity score matching), whether POI are effective to decrease anxiety, depression, distress and overall psychopathological symptoms within cancer patients and their partners.

Methods

This study was conducted in the Oncology and Hematology Center of a University clinic in Switzerland with a group of 186 patients and 117 partners. Outcome measures of mental health were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Symptom Checklist (SCL-9-K). Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to analyze change over time and group effects between individuals with POI vs. without POI.

Results

Highly distressed patients and their partners participating in POI reported better mental health over time. Among moderately distressed patients, a decrease over time emerged in depression and distress independent of POI. No effectiveness of POI could be demonstrated in moderately distressed patients and partners.

Conclusion

Most of the highly distressed patients receive additional POI and therefore conclusions about the efficacy of POI are difficult. For moderately distressed individuals, POI as implemented in Switzerland does not improve mental health in such patients and their partners, which may be caused by very time limited POI treatments. Studies with more intense POI treatments are needed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from Krebsliga Aargau (Grant holder; Alfred Künzler, Jürgen Barth). Analysis and interpretation of the results was done independent of the funding institution.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest. All authors have full access to the data and take full responsibility for data analysis and interpretation of results. Data from this study can be requested from the Journal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), Division of Social and Behavioral Health Research, University of Bern, Niesenweg 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    J. Barth, S. Delfino & A. Künzler

  2. Psychiatric Services Aargau and Division of Oncology/Haematology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland

    A. Künzler

Authors
  1. J. Barth
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  2. S. Delfino
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  3. A. Künzler
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Correspondence to J. Barth.

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Barth, J., Delfino, S. & Künzler, A. Naturalistic study on the effectiveness of psycho-oncological interventions in cancer patients and their partners. Support Care Cancer 21, 1587–1595 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1700-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1700-8

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