Björneklett, H. G., Lindemalm, C., Ojutkangas, M. L., Berglund, A., Letocha, H., Strang, P., & Bergkvist, L. (2012). A randomized controlled trial of a support group intervention on the quality of life and fatigue in women after primary treatment for early breast cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 3325–3334.
To evaluate the effects of a psychosocial support intervention on health-related quality of life (QOL) and fatigue.
Participants were randomized to an intervention or usual care control group. The intervention consisted of education sessions mixed with exercise, relaxation training, massage, qigong, visualization, and social activities, such as concerts and museum and restaurant visits. As reported in a previous pilot study, participants were residents at a spa-type facility during the intervention. The intervention was provided by an interdisciplinary group comprising physicians, psychologists, an art therapist, a massage therapist, a dietician, social workers, and a trained qigong provider for seven days. Follow-up was performed at two, six, and 12 months. Participants in the usual care control were only provided follow-up data collection.
The study was a randomized, controlled trial.
Fatigue scores were similar in both groups and declined over time up to 12 months in both groups. There were no differences in fatigue levels over time between the groups. There were no significant effects of the intervention on QOL measures.
The multimodal intervention demonstrated no significant effect on QOL or fatigue.
The specific approach providing a multifaceted, psychoeducational type of intervention was not shown to affect fatigue or QOL in women with breast cancer. The most effective content, duration, and frequency of psychosocial and multimodal support interventions were not clear.