Psychotherapy involves a variety of approaches for structured therapeutic interaction between a trained professional and the client addressing problems that are psychological in nature.
Boesen, E. H., Ross, L., Frederiksen, K., Thomsen, B. L., Dahlstrøm, K., Schmidt, G., . . . Johansen, C. (2005). Psychoeducational intervention for patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma: a replication study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23, 1270–1277.
A psychoeducational intervention was offered between three weeks and four months postsurgery for malignant melanoma to groups of 8 to 10 patients. The intervention was organized into six sessions lasting approximately 2.5 hours each and was performed over a six-week period. The intervention consisted of health education about malignant melanoma and follow-up routines, the importance of limiting sun exposure, stress awareness, and stress management (relaxation and guided imagery). Patients were given a workbook and a CD with relaxation and imagery exercises. Psychological support was provided via the presence of a group therapist throughout all sessions and through peer support in the group setting.
Patients were undergoing the long-term follow-up phase of care.
The study was a randomized, controlled trial with a usual care control group. Fatigue was evaluated at baseline prior to the intervention and at 6 and 12 months postintervention.
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
Controlling for baseline levels of fatigue, there was a statistically significant effect of the intervention on fatigue six months postintervention. This effect was not sustained at 12-month follow-up. Sixteen patients dropped out of the intervention before it started or after one session. All patients who dropped out cited that they dropped out due to the time or the distance involved or that they felt no need for support.
Efficiencies of treatment were achieved through the group intervention modality.
Courneya, K. S., Friedenreich, C. M., Sela, R. A., Quinney, H. A., Rhodes, R. E., & Handman, M. (2003). The group psychotherapy and home-based physical exercise (group-hope) trial in cancer survivors: physical fitness and quality of life outcomes. Psycho-Oncology, 12, 357–374.
Patients were randomized to receive either 10 weeks of group psychotherapy and exercise (home-based, moderate intensity, 20 to 30 minutes, three to five times per week, and tailored across the intervention to promote progression toward the goal of achieving a heart rate during exercise of 65% to 75% of the estimated heart rate maximum) or group psychotherapy only. The group psychotherapy intervention consisted of stress management and relaxation training or expressive supportive therapy. Both group psychotherapy interventions had a psychoeducational focus. Patients in the group psychotherapy only arm received a personalized exercise plan after study completion. To control for possible contamination between the experimental conditions, groups of patients who had registered for a group psychotherapy program at a large cancer center, rather than individual patients, were randomized.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment and long-term follow-up phases of care.
This was a randomized, controlled trial with a crossover for the control group receiving group psychotherapy alone.
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue (FACT-F)
No difference existed between expressive supportive therapy and stress management and relaxation therapy in group psychotherapy effect in either group. Group psychotherapy and exercise improved quality of life beyond group psychotherapy only in cancer survivors (active treatment and long-term follow-up). The group psychotherapy intervention did not significantly reduce fatigue; however, the addition of moderate-intensity exercise resulted in a statistically significant improvement in fatigue.