title: Psycho-spiritual integrative therapy for women with primary breast cancer.
abstract: Breast cancer presents physical and psychological challenges, but can also result in posttraumatic growth (PTG). Twenty-four women completed Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy (PSIT) treatment and completed assessments for PTG and QOL before, immediately following, and 1 month after treatment. Women showed improvement (p < .01) on the FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) Physical Well-being, Emotional Well-being, and Functional Well-being subscales, on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Depression, Anger, and Fatigue subscales (p < .05), and on their POMS Tension, Vigor and Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores (p < .01). Also, women showed improvement on the FACIT-Sp-Ex (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual) Meaning/Peace subscale, the Spiritual Well-being total scale (p < .01), and on the New Possibilities (p < .01) and Personal Strength (p < .05) subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). This preliminary study suggests that PSIT may improve well being and stimulate PTG in breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA 94305-5718, USA.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garlick
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000523:psychology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000523:psychology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D029181:Spirituality