title: Evaluation of the effects of a psychosocial intervention on mood, coping, and quality of life in cancer patients.
abstract: It was hypothesized that participation in a psychosocial intervention incorporating meditation, social support, positive thinking, and a low-fat, vegetarian diet would have beneficial effects on mood, coping, and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. This article describes the sociodemographic, medical, and psychological characteristics of participants in a psychosocial intervention designed for cancer patients. It also describes program impact in terms of Profile of Mood States, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy. Compliance with program recommendations for 3 months and effects on adjustment were also explored. Improvements in all measures were found at program completion, with spiritual well-being particularly linked to improvement in QOL. The results suggest that the program has significant beneficial effects on adjustment but that these may not be fully maintained at follow-up, possibly because of difficulty in incorporating program recommendations into everyday life, increasing disease severity, and lack of accountability.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. nreavley@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reavley
authors.forename: Julie F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pallant
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sali
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000523:psychology; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires