title: A randomized controlled trial of support group intervention after breast cancer treatment: results on sick leave, health care utilization and health economy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More than 50% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed before the age of 65. Returning to work after treatment is, therefore, of interest for both the individual and society. The aim was to study the effect of support group intervention on sick leave and health care utilization in economic terms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 382 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer, 191 + 191 patients were randomized to an intervention group or to a routine control group, respectively. The intervention group received support intervention on a residential basis for one week, followed by four days of follow-up two months later. The support intervention included informative-educational sections, relaxation training, mental visualization and non-verbal communication. Patients answered a questionnaire at baseline, two, six and 12 months about sick leave and health care utilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a trend towards longer sick leave and more health care utilization in the intervention group. The difference in total costs was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group after 12 months (p = 0.0036).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Costs to society were not reduced with intervention in its present form.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Västmanland's County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden. helena.granstam-bjorneklett@ltv.se
authors.forename: Helena Granstam
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Björneklett
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblad
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindemalm
authors.forename: Marja-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ojutkangas
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Letocha
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strang
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bergkvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology