title: Effect of group therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life in Turkish patients with breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the group therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life of patients with early stage breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed on 16 breast cancer patients who completed treatments. The total group therapy program involved a weekly session of 2-3 hours, for 16 weeks. The group therapy sessions were given to women in the oncology department by a clinical psychologist and also given training sections by the different professional teams. All the required assessments for the study were performed after and before 16 week group therapy intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initially we had taken 21 women but 16 participated in all therapy programs and submitted questionnaires. The mean age was 47.8 years. There were significant differences between before and after group therapy program. Anxiety, depression, and distress showed significant improvements. Hopelessness scale was detected at the border of significance. There was no change in sleep problems and quality of life. According to the analysis of correlation, considering the age factor and year of diagnosis, there was found no statistically significant relationship between anxiety, distress, depression, hopelessness, sleeplessness, and quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study demonstrated that brief, predominantly group therapy is feasible for patients with breast cancer and, also it may be helpful to cope with emotional and physical distress.
authors: Medical Oncology Division, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Preventive Oncology Department, Oncology Institute, Inciralti/Izmir, Turkey. tugba.yavuzsen@deu.edu.tr
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Yavuzsen
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Karadibak
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Cehreli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dirioz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult