Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management for Healthy Women at Risk for Breast Cancer: a Novel Application of a Proven Intervention.
BACKGROUND
Women at risk for breast cancer report elevated psychological distress, which has been adversely associated with cancer-relevant behaviors and biology.


OBJECTIVE
The present study sought to examine the effects of a 10-week cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) group intervention on distress among women with a family history of breast cancer.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to CBSM (N = 82) or a wait-list comparison group (N = 76). Baseline to postintervention effects of CBSM on depressive symptoms and perceived stress were examined using hierarchical regression.


RESULTS
CBSM participants reported significantly lower posttreatment depressive symptoms (β = -0.17, p < 0.05) and perceived stress (β = -0.23, p < 0.05) than wait-list comparison participants. Additionally, greater relaxation practice predicted lower distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Group-based CBSM intervention is feasible and can reduce psychological distress among women with a family history of breast cancer. The present findings represent an encouraging avenue for the future application of CBSM. ( Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT00121160).
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA. mcgregor@fredhutch.org.|Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. mcgregor@fredhutch.org.
Bonnie A
BA
McGregor
Shelter Research and Development, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, NY, USA.
Emily D
ED
Dolan
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
Karly M
KM
Murphy
Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
Timothy S
TS
Sannes
Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
Krista B
KB
Highland
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
Denise L
DL
Albano
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
Alison A
AA
Ward
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
Anna M
AM
Charbonneau
Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
Mary W
MW
Redman
Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, M3-B232, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.|Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Rachel M
RM
Ceballos
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health
Breast neoplasms risk; Cognitive behavioral stress management; Distress; Female; Group psychotherapy; Relaxation practice