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Evaluation of two group therapies to reduce fear of progression in cancer patients

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of two psychotherapeutic interventions on dysfunctional fear of progression (FoP) in cancer patients and to investigate illness-specific influences.

Methods

One hundred seventy-four cancer patients were recruited from two rehabilitation clinics and randomly assigned to either a four-session cognitive-behavioral group therapy or a supportive-experiential group therapy. The main outcome criterion was FoP that was assessed with the Fear of Progression Questionnaire (FoP-Q) directly before (T1) and after (T2) the intervention, as well as 3 (T3) and 12 months (T4) after discharge. Secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression, and quality of life that were assessed with the following questionnaires: Questions on Life Satisfaction, Questionnaire for General Health Status, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Patients from the control group (n = 91) who received treatment as usual were recruited 1 year later with the same inclusion criteria and assessed with the FoP-Q at T1, T2, and T4.

Results

Analyses showed a significant main effect for time and a significant interaction for group × time for the main outcome variable. FoP decreased significantly over time in both intervention groups in contrast to the control group that showed only short-term improvements. The interventions were also effective in improving secondary outcomes except general life satisfaction. Analyses of cancer specific influences on FoP indicated a significant influence of disease status, i.e., patients with metastases and recurrence of cancer gained most from the interventions.

Conclusions

Fear of progression, one of the main sources of distress for cancer patients, can be reduced with short psychotherapeutic interventions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Pension Insurance Administration (VdR), grant no. 01 09889606 (B7 RFB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Langerstr. 3, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Peter Herschbach, Katrin Book, Andreas Dinkel, Sabine Waadt, Gabriele Duran & Gerhard Henrich

  2. Psychotherapeutische Ambulanz der IFT-Gesundheitsförderung, Parzivalstraße 25, 80804, Munich, Germany

    Petra Berg

  3. Rheumatology Rehabilitation Centre of Federal Insurance Institute for Salaried Employees (BfA), Kolbermoorer Str. 56, 83043, Bad Aibling, Germany

    Ursula Engst-Hastreiter

Authors
  1. Peter Herschbach
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  2. Katrin Book
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  4. Petra Berg
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  7. Ursula Engst-Hastreiter
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  8. Gerhard Henrich
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Correspondence to Peter Herschbach.

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Herschbach, P., Book, K., Dinkel, A. et al. Evaluation of two group therapies to reduce fear of progression in cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 18, 471–479 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0696-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0696-1

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