Effects of supportive-expressive discussion groups on loneliness, hope and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a randomized control trial.
Evaluation of the effect of supportive expressive discussion groups on loneliness, hope and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.



A randomized control trial including breast cancer patients who had completed chemotherapy and randomly allocated into two groups: intervention (n = 41) and control (n = 40). The intervention consisted of twelve weekly 90-min sessions for groups of six to eight breast cancer survivors. Data were obtained pre-to -post the intervention and at 8-week follow-up. The data were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).



The findings revealed a significant reduction in loneliness scores (F = 69.85, p < 0.001), promotion in total hope (F = 20.8, p < 0.05) and enhancement in quality of life from pre- to post-intervention, and then over the 8-week follow-up period in the intervention group, while scores of control participants did not show this pattern during the study. The strongest effects were found for global quality of life (effect size) = 0.59), for future perspectives (effect size = 0.51), emotional functioning (effect size = 0.35) and social functioning (effect size = 0.31).



The intervention was effective on loneliness, hope and quality of life in the intervention group. The intervention needs further evaluation in a larger study and with other cancer types. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproductive Health Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Fatemeh Moghaddam
FM
Tabrizi
Nursing and Midwifery Department, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Moloud
M
Radfar
Student Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Zeynab
Z
Taei
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
breast cancer; hope; loneliness; oncology; quality of life