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Psychoeducational group intervention for breast cancer survivors: a non-randomized multi-center pilot study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate an outpatient psychoeducational group program for breast cancer patients aimed to improve various psychosocial parameters, enhancing the patients’ competence and reducing fear of recurrence.

Methods

The study is based on a multi-center, non-randomized control group design with three measurement time points (T1 baseline, T2 end of the intervention, T3 6-week follow-up). Breast cancer patients were assessed with various standardized questionnaires including fear of progression, self-efficacy, depression, and quality of life.

Results

A total of 50 breast cancer patients participated (intervention group n = 27, control group n = 23). The results show a significant reduction in the fear of progression/recurrence (FoPR) (p = 0.003) and a significant increase in self-efficacy (SE) (p = 0.007) for the intervention group with a large (FoPR, Eta2 = .178) and medium (SE, Eta2 = .113) effect size, respectively. For all other outcome criteria such as depressive symptoms, social support, or quality of life, no significant changes over time or differences between both groups were found.

Conclusions

The psychoeducational program has been proven to be effective for breast cancer survivors, but further investigation based on a randomized trial is necessary.

Practice implications

To improve participation rate assessment of patient’s needs and close cooperation with rehabilitation centers, psychosocial counseling services, and medical oncologists are recommended.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the collaborating partners Prof. Dr. Anja Mehnert (University Clinic Center, Leipzig) and Dr. Andreas Werner (Outpatient Counseling Center University Clinic, Mainz) for their support in on-site patient recruitment. We thank Prof. Dr. Dr. Faller (Center for patient education and training, University Clinic Center, Würzburg) for his support and recommendations in the evaluation of patient education and training in general. We also thank all professionals in the collaborating centers taking the on-site interventions for patients. Finally, we thank all the patients who participated in the program and supported the evaluation by completing the questionnaires.

Funding

This work was funded with a grant by the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) (grant number: 70109978).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Cancer Self-Help Research, Medical Center University Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 49, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    Joachim B. Weis

  2. Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

    Kathrin Gschwendtner

  3. Institute of Medical Biometry und Statistics, Section of Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center University Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany

    Jürgen M. Giesler

  4. Department of Public Health and Education, University of Education, Freiburg, Germany

    Leonie Adams

  5. Department of Research Methods, University of Education, Freiburg, Germany

    Markus A. Wirtz

Authors
  1. Joachim B. Weis
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  2. Kathrin Gschwendtner
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  3. Jürgen M. Giesler
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  4. Leonie Adams
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  5. Markus A. Wirtz
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Contributions

JW and JMG: conceptualization of the study design, acquisition of data, statistical analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article and revising it, and final approval of the version to be submitted

LR: acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data

KG: supporting acquisition of data and revising the draft

MW: statistical and methodological support in data analysis and drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joachim B. Weis.

Ethics declarations

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Freiburg (reference no. 151/13_130583).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimer

The sponsor did not have any involvement in this study except financial support.

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Weis, J.B., Gschwendtner, K., Giesler, J.M. et al. Psychoeducational group intervention for breast cancer survivors: a non-randomized multi-center pilot study. Support Care Cancer 28, 3033–3040 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05076-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05076-6

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