title: Forming a Stress Management and Health Promotion Program for Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: To assess the effects of an 8-week stress management and health promotion program on women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. Patients and methods A total of 61 patients were recruited in 2 cancer centers and were randomly assigned to the intervention program (n = 30) or control group (n = 31). The intervention program consisted of different stress management techniques, which were combined with instructions for lifestyle modification. Assessments were carried out through questionnaires and measurement of body mass index (BMI) at baseline and at the end of the 8-week program.
  
  
  
  In all, 25 participants completed the intervention program, whereas 28 participants completed the observational control program. The intervention program resulted in a small effect size on internal dimension of Health Locus of Control (HLC) and a medium effect size on stress, depression, anxiety, night sleep duration, and chance dimension of HLC. A strong effect size was recorded for BMI and sleep onset latency. Self-rated health, spiritual well-being, and powerful others dimension of HLC were not significantly affected. Additionally, some of the participants reported a reduction in the side effects caused by chemotherapy.
  
  
  
  The intervention resulted in several benefits for the general health status of patients. Therefore, it should be considered as feasible and potentially beneficial for women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy. However, it is necessary for this intervention to be tested through a randomized controlled trial in a larger sample of patients before adopting this program in standard cancer care.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece pelekasispanagiotis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pelekasis
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zisi
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koumarianou
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit GPP, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Androniki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marioli
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chrousos
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Oncology Unit GPP, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Darviri
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: BMI; breast cancer; chemotherapy; health locus of control; health promotion; sleep; stress