Effects of a brief psychosocial intervention in patients with cancer receiving adjuvant therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effects of a brief psychosocial intervention using CD-ROM (BPIC) on psychosocial (fighting spirit, helplessness or hopelessness, anxiety, and depression) and behavioral (self-care behaviors) outcomes in patients with cancer receiving adjuvant therapy.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental.


METHODS
A comprehensive cancer center in Seoul, South Korea.


METHODS
71 patients undergoing adjuvant therapy.


METHODS
The study participants were assigned to either BPIC or a control group. The experimental group underwent a two-week psychosocial intervention via CD-ROM, booklet, and telephone counseling.


METHODS
Fighting spirit, helplessness or hopelessness, anxiety, depression, and self-care behaviors.


RESULTS
After BPIC, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores than the control group for fighting spirit (p = 0.005) and self-care behaviors (p < 0.001). However, the groups showed no significant differences in helplessness or hopelessness (p = 0.42), anxiety (p = 0.279), and depression (p = 0.068).


CONCLUSIONS
BPIC use improved fighting spirit and self-care behaviors in study participants. The results partially support the effectiveness of BPIC for adaptation among patients with cancer receiving adjuvant therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
A brief psychosocial intervention using multimedia can be used effectively in clinical oncology settings to accelerate adaptation among patients with cancer in the adjuvant phase.
Oh
Pok Ja
PJ
Nursing Department, Sahmyook University, Seoul, South Korea. ohpj@syu.ac.kr
Kim
Soo Hyun
SH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D016251:CD-ROM; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003863:Depression / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents