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 kinesitherapie, dans une approche multidisciplinaire, offre des moyens adaptes pour la prise en charge de patients atteints de cancer.
5 citations
TL;DR: The rationale for the group intervention is offered, the model used and the programme content are described, and the facilitators' experience of running the group is discussed.
Abstract: Overall cancer survival rates in the United Kingdom are demonstrating a continual and progressive increase. Women diagnosed with breast cancer contribute to 28% of the 45% of all female cancers in the higher survival band (Coleman et al, 1999). As medical therapies strive to cure or extend the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer the quality of their cancer experience becomes paramount. Fighting Spirit is a support group that aims to reduce psychological morbidity in young women diagnosed with breast cancer. It promotes an optimistic attitude and a wish to participate and learn about treatment modalities while carrying on a normal life despite having cancer. The programme provides supportive therapy for both curative and palliative care. This article offers a rationale for the group intervention, describes the model used and the programme content. The facilitators’ experience of running the group is also discussed.
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is desirable that efforts be made to stimulate greater understanding of group intervention as a means of psychosocial support for patients with recurrent breast cancer and that social environments be arranged so that these patients are supported by an approach tailored to individual cases, involving both group and individual intervention.
Abstract: To clarify psychological factors of patients with recurrent breast cancer, we examined their interest in group intervention and studied the characteristics of participants and non-participants in an intervention program. Using several self-administered assessment scales to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients and the symptoms specific to breast cancer patients, we compared sociomedical variables and QOL scores between participants and non-participants. Inter-group differences were significant in the scores for constipation, body image and future perspectives, suggesting the QOL to be higher among participants than non-participants. Interest in group intervention was identified as a major reason for participation in this type of program. Not only physical but also psychologicalfactors were shown to be the reasons for deciding not to participate in group intervention. It is now desirable that efforts be made to stimulate greater understanding of group intervention as a means of psychosocial support for patients with recurrent breast cancer and that social environments be arranged so that these patients are supported by an approach tailored to individual cases, involving both group and individual intervention.
5 citations
Cites background from "Group support for patients with met..."
...In Western countries, the percentage of patients with metastatic breast cancer who participate in group intervention is reportedly 50% to 78% (Spiegel et al., 1981; Fukui et al., 2001; Goodwin et al., 2001)....
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...In studies on breast cancer patients, 40% to 80% of eligible patients were enrolled (Spiegel et al., 1981; Edmonds et al., 1999; Goodwin et al., 2001)....
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01 Jan 1989
TL;DR: The past 10 years have seen a dramatic shift in the nature of primary treatment, resulting from increased understanding of the biology of breast cancer, and in the developed countries cancer diagnosis is more often revealed and there is greater candor in doctor-patient-family communications.
Abstract: Breast cancer is one of the most common, and most feared, neoplasms in women. In the developed countries it has been by far, the most extensively studied cancer for its psychological aspects. Most published reports about women’s reactions to breast cancer have, therefore, been heavily influenced by cultural factors, particularly, the stigma attached to cancer and the emphasis placed on women’s sexual and maternal roles. These roles are viewed quite differently in many developing countries. Coupled with the lack of information about the importance of seeing a doctor for a nonpainful lump in the breast, in some countries women present for treatment with far less curable stages of breast cancer, thereby influencing survival. Social factors also influence how a woman reacts in relation to the universal emotions of threat to life, femininity, attractiveness, and self-esteem. In addition, treatment of primary breast cancer varies from country to country, altering the experience to which the woman must adapt. These factors are influenced by the existence of a broader issue; that neither societal views nor medical practices are static. Both are changing all the time. Treatment of breast cancer is a prime example of such changes. The past 10 years have seen a dramatic shift in the nature of primary treatment, resulting from our increased understanding of the biology of breast cancer. In addition, in the developed countries cancer diagnosis is more often revealed and there is greater candor in doctor-patient-family communications.
5 citations
01 Mar 1994
TL;DR: A model for group psychotherapy with terminally ill patients is proposed in this article, where the group is homogeneous and open-ended, and treatment with both sets of patients has been characterized by considerable variation in the structure, composition, and duration of the group.
Abstract: A model for group psychotherapy with terminally ill patients is proposed, one in which the group is homogeneous and open-ended. Cancer and HIV infection are used as examples of chronic, terminal illnesses, and the relevant literature on group psychotherapy with these conditions is reviewed. Treatment with both sets of patients has been characterized by considerable variation in the structure, composition, and duration of the group.
5 citations
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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