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Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of meaning-centered group psychotherapy in cancer survivors: protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Authors :
van der Spek N
Vos J
van Uden-Kraan CF
Breitbart W
Cuijpers P
Knipscheer-Kuipers K
Willemsen V
Tollenaar RA
van Asperen CJ
Verdonck-de Leeuw IM
Source :
BMC psychiatry [BMC Psychiatry] 2014 Jan 28; Vol. 14, pp. 22. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jan 28.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Background: Meaning-focused coping may be at the core of adequate adjustment to life after cancer. Cancer survivors who experience their life as meaningful are better adjusted, have better quality of life and psychological functioning. Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Cancer Survivors (MCGP-CS) was designed to help patients to sustain or enhance a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of MCGP-CS.<br />Methods/design: Survivors diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years and treated with curative intent, are recruited via several hospitals in the Netherlands. After screening, 168 survivors are randomly assigned to one of the three study arms: 1. Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP-CS) 2. Supportive group psychotherapy (SGP) 3. Care as usual (CAU). Baseline assessment takes place before randomisation, with follow up assessments post-intervention and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Primary outcome is meaning making (PMP, PTGI, SPWB). Secondary outcome measures address quality of life (EORTC-30), anxiety and depression (HADS), hopelessness (BHS), optimism (LOT-R), adjustment to cancer (MAC), and costs (TIC-P, EQ-5D, PRODISQ).<br />Discussion: Meaning-focused coping is key to adjustment to life after cancer, however, there is a lack of evidence based psychological interventions in this area. Many cancer survivors experience feelings of loneliness and alienation, and have a need for peer support, therefore a group method in particular, can be beneficial for sustaining or enhancing a sense of meaning. If this MCGP-CS is effective for cancer survivors, it can be implemented in the practice of psycho-oncology care.<br />Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register, NTR3571.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1471-244X
Volume :
14
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
BMC psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24467861
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-14-22