Brothers, B.M., Yang, H.C., Strunk, D.R., & Andersen, B.L. (2011). Cancer patients with major depressive disorder: Testing a biobehavioral/cognitive behavior intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79, 253–260.

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined biobehavioral intervention (CBI) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for depressed patients coping with the stresses of cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

12–20 individual 75-minute CBI and CBT sessions

Topics: Stress, coping, communication, seeking information

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 36
  • MEAN AGE: 49 years
  • MALES: 0%, FEMALES: 100%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast and gynecologic

Setting

  • SITE: Single site   
  • SETTING TYPE: Outpatient   
  • LOCATION: Cancer Center in Northeast United States

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship

Study Design

Single group pre-post design

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)
  • Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
  • Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI)
  • Brief Pain Questionnaire
  • Quality of Life

Results

Depressive symptoms, fatigue, and mental health significantly improved following intervention.

Conclusions

CBI and CBT showed significant improvement in depression, fatigue, and quality of life and reduced cancer stress.

Limitations

  • Small sample (< 100)
  • Risk of bias (no control group)
  • Risk of bias (no random assignment)
  • Subject withdrawals ≥ 10%

Nursing Implications

Cancer survivors who display depressive symptoms may benefit from CBI and CBT.