Björneklett, H.G., Lindemalm, C., Rosenblad, A., Ojutkangas, M.L., Letocha, H., Strang, P., & Bergkvist, L. (2012). A randomised controlled trial of support group intervention after breast cancer treatment: Results on anxiety and depression. Acta Oncologica, 51, 198–207.
To evaluate the effect of a support program on anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer
The intervention was a weeklong multidisciplinary residential program. The intervention took place within four months after the end of tumor treatment and ran for seven days, followed by four days of follow-up two months after the initial visit. The team consisted of oncologists, social workers, art therapists, massage therapists, a dietitian, and a mindfulness practitioner.
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)–Swedish version
After 12 months, 10% in the intervention group versus 19% in the control group had a high anxiety score (p = 0.055).
Support group intervention including education about the disease and psychological reactions, mixed with art and dance therapy, qigong, and relaxation, was shown to positively influence anxiety levels among patients with breast cancer over time, whereas depression levels were unaffected by the intervention.
Because of costs and time constraints, the ability of this program to be replicated is suspect. The particular components of the program that provided the most effectiveness were not analyzed and therefore cannot be reproduced or further studied.