The effectiveness of a men-only supportive expressive group therapy intervention for psychosocial health outcomes in gastrointestinal cancer patients: a 6-month longitudinal study

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Linda E. Carlson¹  Devesh Oberoi¹  Barry D. Bultz¹  Celestina Martopullo¹ 

[1] Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, T2N 4N1, Calgary, AB, Canada;Cancer Control AB, Tom Baker Cancer Centre Holy Cross Site, 2202 2nd St. SW, T2S 3C1, Calgary, AB, Canada;

关键词: Supportive expressive group therapy;    Gastrointestinal cancers;    Men’s SEGT;    Psychosical health;    Coping;    Psychological distress;    Quality of life;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12955-021-01687-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAn increasing number of gastrointestinal cancer (GI) patients suffer fromside effects of cancer treatment that can affect theirmood states and quality of life. Despite its demonstrated effectiveness in female cancer patients, Supportive Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) has not been tested in male cancer patients. The current study sought to examine the longitudinal effects of a professionally-led, men-only SEGT on mood states, coping, and quality of life (QoL) in male GI cancer patients.MethodsA sample of male GI cancer patients (n = 31), at different stages of cancer treatment, was recruited from an ongoing, men-only biweekly GI cancer SEGT. Data were collected at baseline (before or near the beginning of group attendance) and at three months and six months follow-up. All study outcomes were patient-reported and included socio-demographic data as well as validated questionnaires: Profile of Mood States (POMS) for mood states, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) for QoL, and Ways of Coping-Cancer Version (WOC) for coping. Linear mixed models were used to examine the change in outcomes over time. Effect sizes were estimated using Cohen’s d.ResultsThe Anxiety (p = .04; d = 0.70), Depression (p = .03; d = 0.93) and Anger (p = .04; d = 1.28) subscales of the POMS decreased between baseline and six months. Participants also reported improvements in coping through Distancing (distancing oneself from negative thoughts, being more accepting of the situation, and looking for positives) of the WOC (p = .04; d = 0.4) between baseline and six months. There was no change in any of the FACT subscales (QoL) over time.ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the effects of a SEGT intervention in male cancer patients. Participation in the intervention was associated with improved mood states and coping in male GI cancer patients; however, there was no change in measures of QoL.

【 授权许可】

CC BY