Group support for patients with metastatic cancer. A randomized outcome study.
01 May 1981-Archives of General Psychiatry (American Medical Association)-Vol. 38, Iss: 5, pp 527-533
TL;DR: Objective evidence is provided that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit and mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
Abstract: • The effects of weekly supportive group meetings for women with metastatic carcinoma of the breast were systematically evaluated in a one-year, randomized, prospective outcome study. The groups focused on the problems of terminal illness, including improving relationships with family, friends, and physicians and living as fully as possible in the face of death. We hypothesized that this intervention would lead to improved mood, coping strategies, and self-esteem among those in the treatment group. Eighty-six patients were tested at four-month intervals. The treatment group had significantly lower mooddisturbance scores on the Profile of Mood States scale, had fewer maladaptive coping responses, and were less phobic than the control group. This study provides objective evidence that a supportive group intervention for patients with metastatic cancer results in psychological benefit. Mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this group intervention are explored.
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TL;DR: In this article, a physician relates the various ways that cancer-related fatigue can affect family dynamics, job responsibilities, social interactions, finances, and intimacy, and patients should be reassured that the fatigue they feel is real, and that by learning personal energy conservation, they should be able to improve their abilities to function, to socialize, to interact with others, and ultimately to adjust to a new normal baseline.
Abstract: Fatigue is a ubiquitous side effect of many cancer therapies Nevertheless, after treatment is complete, many survivors continue to feel a profound tiredness that affects almost all aspects of life Even after recovery, patients are often frustrated by their continuing need for extra rest In this deeply personal, first-person account, a physician relates the various ways that cancer-related fatigue can affect family dynamics, job responsibilities, social interactions, finances, and intimacy Clinicians can help by searching for treatable medical conditions, but also by taking cancer-related fatigue, and the frustrations it causes, seriously Patients should be reassured that the fatigue they feel is real, and that by learning personal energy conservation, they should be able to improve their abilities to function, to socialize, to interact with others, and ultimately to adjust to a “new normal” baseline (CA Cancer J Clin 1999;49:178–189)
12 citations
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: In this article, a cross-sectional design with multi-source data collection methods was used to measure conflict, perceptions of control, coping strategies, and both psychological and physical well-being.
Abstract: Stressors resulting from one’s work life including work conditions, job characteristics, and relationships with others at work have been shown to impact employee health outcomes at both psychological and physical levels (Le Blanc, Jonge, & Schaufeli, 2008; Spector, Dwyer, & Jex, 1988). Interpersonal conflict is one prevalent workplace stressor that has been associated with poor work-related outcomes and psychological states. A cross-sectional design with multi-source data collection methods was used to measure conflict, perceptions of control, coping strategies, and both psychological and physical well-being. Overall, findings suggested that the success of coping efforts hinges on the combination of the nature of the stressor (conflict with supervisors vs. with a co-worker), perceptions of control over that stressor (high or low control), and coping strategy used (problem-focused or emotion-focused coping). This may explain at least to a certain extent why previous efforts to document the moderating effects of coping have been inconsistent, especially pertaining to emotion-focused coping
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TL;DR: It is suggested that all components of the CDPT program except MLD are helpful in treating malignant lymphedema in terms of pain reduction and reduction of the volume of the affected upper or lower limb.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) on malignant lymphedema patients. Methods Patients (n=22) with malignant lymphedema of the upper or the lower limb were assigned to this study. CDPT without manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) was used five times per week for two weeks. The main outcome measurements included measurement of the circumference of the limb (proximal, distal, and total) to assess volume changes. We also employed the visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate pain, and the short form-36 version 2 questionnaire (SF-36) to assess quality of life (QOL). All items were assessed pre and post-treatment for each patient. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the volume change of the upper limbs (3.7%, p=0.001) and the lower limbs (10.9%, p=0.001). A 1.5 point reduction on the ten-point VAS was noted after CDPT. The scores on the physical and the mental components of the SF-36 showed statistical improvement after treatment (p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion These results suggest that all components of the CDPT program except MLD are helpful in treating malignant lymphedema in terms of pain reduction and reduction of the volume of the affected upper or lower limb. This treatment regimen also has positive effects on QOL.
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TL;DR: Collaboration is required between liaison psychiatrists and clinical staff working in cancer care to improve their assessment and counselling skills, and provide support.
Abstract: There is evidence that the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is associated with considerable psychological morbidity, but its' recognition is hampered by patients' unwillingness to disclose problems and professionals' reluctance to enquire. Collaboration is required between liaison psychiatrists and clinical staff working in cancer care to improve their assessment and counselling skills, and provide support. Interventions in cancer patients with psychological disorder require evaluation and validation, so that the recognition of such morbidity is deemed worthwhile.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it, and individuals may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.
Abstract: The effects of reward or reinforcement on preceding behavior depend in part on whether the person perceives the reward as contingent on his own behavior or independent of it. Acquisition and performance differ in situations perceived as determined by skill versus chance. Persons may also differ in generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. This report summarizes several experiments which define group differences in behavior when Ss perceive reinforcement as contingent on their behavior versus chance or experimenter control. The report also describes the development of tests of individual differences in a generalized belief in internal-external control and provides reliability, discriminant validity and normative data for 1 test, along with a description of the results of several studies of construct validity.
21,451 citations
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01 Jan 1969
TL;DR: In this article, the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care were discussed, and patients invited to talk about their experience found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace.
Abstract: Although most areas of human experience are nowadays discussed freely and openly, the subject of death is still surrounded by conventional attitudes and reticence that offer only fragile comfort because they evade the real issues. The dying may thus be denied the opportunity of sharing their feelings and discussing their needs with family, friends, or hospital staff. Although receiving devoted medical care, a dying patient is often socially isolated and avoided, since professional staff and students can find contact painful and embarrasing.
Aware of the strains imposed on all sides by this situation, Dr Kubler-Ross established a seminar at the University of Chicago to consider the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care. Patients invited to talk about their experience often found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace. The seminar, initially composed of students of medicine, sociology, psychology, and theology, but later joined by hospital staff and relatives of patients, enabled many members to come to terms with their own feelings and to respond constructi to what the patients had to teach them.
5,220 citations
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TL;DR: A study of 800 outpatient visits to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles as discussed by the authors explored the effect of verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on follow-up.
Abstract: Study of 800 outpatient visits to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles to explore the effect of the verbal interaction between doctor and patient on patient satisfaction and follow-through on...
947 citations