The effectiveness of a psycho-educational group after early-stage breast cancer treatment: results of a randomized French study.
BACKGROUND
Many women with breast cancer need psychological help to cope more effectively after treatment. Cognitive and behavioural techniques are not yet well established in France. A multi-site randomized study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a psycho-educational group intervention in this population.


METHODS
Two hundred and three patients, recruited after primary treatment, were randomly assigned either to a treatment group (psycho-educational intervention) or to a waiting-list control group. The 8-week programme of 2 h sessions comprised of thematic discussions, information and training in stress management techniques. Evaluation at baseline, after 8 sessions, and 1 month after programme completion, included evaluations using the STAI, POMS, MAC, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 breast module scales.


RESULTS
We observed a significant reduction in anxiety (STAI, POMS) among group participants, a reduction in anger, depression and fatigue (POMS), a significant improvement in vigor and interpersonal relationships (POMS), in emotional and role functioning, in health status and fatigue level (EORTC QLQ-C30). In contrast, coping strategies (MAC) were not significantly different between groups. No group-related negative effects were observed and the global satisfaction levels were very high.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention, which can accelerate the reduction of those negative affects which are present at the end of treatment. It represents an excellent complement or an alternative to individual psycho-oncologic therapeutic support, widely proposed in France, and should now be tested in groups with other types of cancer and at other disease phases.
Dolbeault
S
S
Psycho-Oncology Unit, Curie Institute Paris, France. sylvie.dolbeault@curie.net
Cayrou
S
S
Brédart
A
A
Viala
A L
AL
Desclaux
B
B
Saltel
P
P
Gauvain-Piquard
A
A
Hardy
P
P
Dickes
P
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome