The Motivation Journey: A Grounded Theory Study on Female Cancer Survivors' Experience of a Psychological Intervention for Quality of Life

An integrated intervention on well-being: A qualitative study on relationships and emotions

BACKGROUND

Oncological treatments lead to physical and emotional difficulties with notable consequences in everyday life. Thus, integrated interventions that can promote quality of life are needed. Since current studies suggest that integrated programs of both physical exercises and psychological sessions can promote positive emotions, this pilot study aims to explore the impact of a one-week intervention that combines sailing activities and psychological support.

METHODS

Twenty-nine breast cancer survivors took part in this study. Before and after the intervention, participants were invited to answer three open questions to evaluate their perceptions of personal evaluations about their relationships and emotions. A Qualitative Thematic Analysis was used to evaluate participants' answers and to compare the sub-themes that emerged in the two times.

RESULTS

Findings highlighted three main themes: a) caregivers and emotional closeness - family members are generally a crucial point of reference for participants. Friends, colleagues, and healthcare professionals were also cited as relevant figures during the cancer journey and after the psychological intervention; b) emotions towards others - positive and negative emotions towards these figures emerged, and some women felt alone, and c) emotions towards oneself - exploring emotions related to themselves highlighted positive and negative feelings and the desire for change to promote love and care towards themselves. Interestingly, the number of negative emotions towards themselves decreased after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The integrated intervention could promote the reflection on personal relationships and emotions.

Implementing the framed portrait experience with Italian breast cancer survivors: a pilot study assessing short term effects of an existential approach to body image, coping skills, and self-efficacy

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) and its treatments significantly impact the psychological wellbeing of women. Interventions offered during cancer survivorship have documented positive consequences for quality of life. However, limited evidence is available regarding the implementation of therapeutic photography. This study investigated the efficacy of the framed portrait experience (FPE) when implemented to BC survivors.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was conducted. Participants were enrolled in a non-randomized pre-post intervention with a comparison group. Forty BC survivors were recruited using a convenience sampling approach; of these, 20 were subsequently allocated to the intervention (FPE group) and 20 to the comparison group. Participants were assessed at pretest and posttest (3 weeks later) using self-reported measures of body image, coping, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Independent samples t-tests compared group composition at pretest. Mixed between-within 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs examined pretest-posttest changes in the variables of interest.

RESULTS

No differences were detected between groups at pretest. A significant interaction effect on body image, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and in self-efficacy competence subscale (p < 0.05) was identified. Post hoc pairwise comparisons with the Bonferroni correction indicated improvement on these domains in the FPE group vs. comparison group. Additionally, significant main effects of time on self-efficacy total score and magnitude subscale (p < 0.05) were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results support the efficacy of FPE, but further research is needed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Existential approaches inclusive of self-portraits and illness narratives can be utilized to support BC survivors in the management of the psychological consequences of the illness.

Evaluating Somatic Experiencing® to Heal Cancer Trauma: First Evidence with Breast Cancer Survivors

Somatic Experiencing^® is a bio-psychological method for the treatment and prevention of trauma and chronic stress, which has never been investigated with breast cancer (BC) survivors. Eight weeks of web-based synchronous group sessions were structured between April and June 2022. Potential participants were recruited using a convenience sampling approach and through the collaboration of a public hospital in northern Italy and a non-profit association of BC women. Thirty-five eligible participants were enrolled and divided into an intervention group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 14). Anxiety, depression, distress (HADS), coping strategies (Mini-MAC), trauma reworking skills (PACT), and body image (BIS) were assessed at T0 and after 8 weeks (T1). Qualitative items concerning the most significant moments and learnings were completed at T1 by the intervention group. An independent t-test confirmed no between-group psychological differences at T0. As hypothesized, paired-sample t-tests showed decreases in anxiety, depression, distress (p < 0.05), and anxious preoccupation coping strategy (p < 0.001), but also improvements in forward focus (p < 0.05) and body image (p < 0.001) in the intervention group. The controls worsened over time with increases in hopeless/helplessness (p < 0.001) and avoidance (p < 0.05) coping strategies. Textual analyses extracted five dominant themes that summarized the meaning of the experience for participants. The preliminary results suggest the effectiveness of the intervention.

Virtual reality for the promotion of interoception awareness and body image in breast cancer survivors: a study protocol

Women who received a diagnosis of breast cancer often report impairments in physical and psychological wellbeing, even some years after treatments. Individual awareness about physical changes, body image, and current sensations related to their body is important to maintain a psycho-emotional balance. Virtual reality, as an advanced human-computer interface, can be an effective tool to improve breast cancer survivors' abilities to know and manage their current sensations related to their bodies. The present study protocol proposes a virtual reality intervention aiming at promoting interoception and emotional wellbeing, fear of cancer recurrence, and body perception in breast cancer survivors, according to the three data collection times. Repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) with between-within interaction will be performed. Expected results include participants' awareness of their internal feelings, the reduction of negative emotions, and the management of symptoms related to the body, clarifying characteristics for the effective implementation of VR psychological intervention in the future.

Social Support Behaviours and Barriers in Group Online Exercise Classes for Adults Living with and beyond Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Social support can be facilitated through exercise programs for people living with cancer, but there is limited research on how best to foster it in online exercise oncology classes. This study examined current training that fitness professionals receive on the provision and facilitation of social support, experiences people living with cancer have with social support, and supportive behaviours and barriers for providing and obtaining support in online group exercise oncology programs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Guided by interpretive description methodology, training materials were reviewed, observations of fitness professional training and online exercise classes (n = 10) were conducted, and adults living with and beyond cancer (n = 19) and fitness professionals (n = 15) were interviewed. These data were collected from January 2021 to June 2021. Analysis of the data collected resulted in the identification of three themes: Creating a welcoming environment, helping improve exercise ability and reach goals, and learning to provide and facilitate support online. A catalogue of supportive behaviours that can help to provide and facilitate and barriers that can hinder the provision and obtaining of social support in exercise oncology classes is presented. The findings provide guidance when structuring online classes and inform developing strategies for fitness professionals to use in online classes to foster social support by considering the wants and needs of participants, facilitating support between participants with similar experiences and interests, and integrating support into physical activity.

Music Therapy: A Noninvasive Treatment to Reduce Anxiety and Pain of Colorectal Cancer Patients—A Systemic Literature Review

Background and Objectives: Music interventions have been used for patients with cancer to meet their psychological, physical, social, and spiritual needs. This review identified the efficacy of music therapy among adult patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases. Only randomized controlled studies reported in English of patients with CRC were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data on patients and intervention measurements. The main outcomes included pain, anxiety, quality of life, mood, nausea, vomiting, vital signs. Results: A total of 147 articles were identified from the search. A total of 10 studies were included in the review. Nine out of the ten studies (90%) showed statistically and clinically significant improvements across the outcome variables. Only one study (10%) found no significant positive effect from music therapy in any of the measured outcomes. Among the seven studies measuring pain as an outcome, four studies (57%) demonstrated that music therapy reduced pain. Three studies (75%) showed that MT reduced anxiety. Conclusions: This systemic review indicates that music therapy might help reduce pain and anxiety for cancer patients, including those with colorectal cancer, who are receiving treatment in palliative care, inpatient care and outpatient care settings.

Are mothers under lunchbox pressure? An exploration of the experiences of Victorian mothers preparing lunchboxes for their children

ISSUE ADDRESSED

A healthy diet is particularly important during childhood. Research suggests that more than 95% of Australian primary school aged children do not eat a diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines, putting them at risk of poor health. Interventions to improve the quality of children's lunchboxes may help address this issue. However, there is limited understanding of the factors impacting lunchbox preparation.

METHODS

This study explored the experiences of 10 mothers of Victorian primary school students. Mothers took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their views on lunchbox preparation and food choices. The study used a Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology and data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interviews yielded four main themes. (i) Mothers experienced a range of non-nutritional barriers that impacted the food choices they made for their children. (ii) Children's preferences influenced parental food choices. (iii) Mothers experienced and/or perceived judgement about the food choices they make for their children. And (iv) Mothers identified a lack of support and information from schools about what was appropriate for school lunch.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this study indicate that mothers are concerned with balancing nutrition and child preferences within the broader context of guidelines, perceived or real judgement and income constraints. SO WHAT?: The school environment may be an ideal setting to promote healthy eating but support for parents is needed. This is the first study in Victoria exploring mothers' perspectives on lunchbox preparation and provides initial information on which future research can build.

The Body after Cancer: A Qualitative Study on Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Representation

OBJECTIVE

The relationship with the body is a relevant issue for breast cancer survivors. Oncological treatments damage their bodies due to scars, weight gain, and other side effects. Starting from the efficacy of psychological interventions for breast cancer survivors, a tailored psychological support program was provided to promote overall well-being after illness dealing with bodily signals and related emotions and thoughts. This study presents changes in the description of the relationship with their bodies as well as participants' emotions and thoughts before and after a psychological intervention.

METHODS AND MEASURES

Eighteen women answered questions related to their bodies before and after the psychological intervention. Results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the Word Association Analysis through the T-Lab software and the Qualitative Thematic Analysis.

RESULTS

Participants reported a great awareness of their bodies and the desire to take care of them daily. In particular, the body is now perceived as a helper to sustain breast cancer survivors in their everyday activities.

CONCLUSION

The words and the themes that characterized the participants' reports highlighted the impact of cancer diagnosis and oncological therapies on breast cancer survivors. The participation in the psychological intervention focused on self-compassion towards their body helps women to create an improved body perception.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Motivation to Participate in a Tailored Physical and Psychological Intervention: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Purpose: Participants’ engagement in a project requires intrinsic motivations, which may evolve during the intervention thanks to lifestyle changes and positive challenges. Over the years, tailored programs based on physical activity and psychological sessions have been promoted to support the quality of life and well-being of breast cancer survivors. Personal expectations and needs are essential to predict participant adherence to the intervention as well as their possibility to reach positive outcomes. This study presents a preliminary understanding of the differences between motives and outcomes obtained after an integrated physical and psychological intervention conducted by professional trainers and psychologists. Methods: Forty-five women with a history of breast cancer answered some questions before and after the program, and the results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the thematic analysis. Results: Physical and psychological well-being are the two main themes that emerged from the participants. Interestingly, some differences emerged between the two data collections. Themes such as aesthetic evaluation interest and the need to learn psychological strategies disappeared at the end of the intervention; on the other hand, the need to make a distance from the illness experiences emerged as an obtained outcome. Conclusions: The discussion explains these differences and highlights the importance of considering breast cancer patients’ needs and motives to take part in interventions to promote quality of life.

Therapist‐led Interventions for the Treatment of Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Cancer Survivors: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Objective

We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of therapist‐led interventions for reducing symptoms of traumatic stress in cancer survivors.

Methods

This systematic review was completed in accordance with the guidelines illustrated by Popay and colleagues and the following online databases, PsychInfo, Medline, CINAHL, were searched for peer‐reviewed literature. Further studies were searched through Google Scholar and manually scanning the reference lists of all included studies. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to report results.

Results

Sixteen studies were identified, their quality varied and the interventions broadly fell into two categories: CBT‐based and non‐CBT interventions. Effect sizes were small to moderate in 12 studies and large in four. Drop‐out rates were mostly low.

Conclusion

This review has demonstrated that the research in this field is still scarce and due to the data mostly suggesting a small to moderate effect, firm conclusions cannot be drawn on the effectiveness of the included interventions.

Lifestyle in Female Teachers: Educational Intervention Based on Self-Efficacy Theory in the South of Fars Province, Iran

Introduction

Today, improving lifestyles and promoting health are basic needs for human society. The main goal in promoting health is to achieve healthy lifestyle behaviors, and self-efficacy is one of the factors influencing people's lifestyle. Therefore, the impact of educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on improving lifestyles of the female teachers in Galledar was investigated.

Method

This study was a semiexperimental study with educational intervention with a control group that was performed on 120 teachers in Galledar. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaires, health-promoting lifestyle questionnaires, and Sherry's self-efficacy questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software.

Result

The mean age and standard deviation of teachers in the control and intervention groups were 33.40 ± 5.68 and 32.83 ± 6.46 years, respectively. Health-promoting lifestyle variables are significant correlation with self-efficacy and overall lifestyle index. Six dimensions which consisted of spiritual growth and self-actualization, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, stress management, exercise and physical activity, and nutrition showed significant statistical differences before and after educational intervention (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Due to the sensitive role of teachers as an effective human force in the development and evolution of society and their students' role modeling, the authorities should formulate policies, regulate educational interventions, and design strategies for promoting self-efficacy beliefs and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all teachers. We suggest that other methods and theories of behavior change be used in future studies to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Psychological Benefits of a Sport-Based Program for Female Cancer Survivors: The Role of Social Connections

In the context of sports-based interventions for improving health and quality of life in chronic patients, participants could develop meaningful social relationships that affect their well-being as much as intervention activities. In this study, 80 female cancer survivors participated in a running-based group intervention (2 sessions/week; 1.5 h), while 51 acted as controls. The intervention lasted approximately 5 months. Unfortunately, the length of the intervention was reduced and sport activities were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown mid-intervention, while the shared therapy sessions continued online. This possibly altered the results, as anxiety, depression, and physical aspects did not show significant differences between the experimental and control groups after the intervention. Participants reported positive comments on the experience as a whole, especially regarding the positive influence of the newly developed social connections. This was corroborated by significant correlations between group perceived cohesion and anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and positive experience with the group psychological support. Overall, it is possible to suggest that in the program an important role was played by social connections and support, peer influence and the group experience, preserving positive experiential qualities of the intervention even if it was altered by external circumstances.

Cancer patients' participation and commitment to psychological interventions: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Some psychological interventions have been developed to improve cancer patients' and survivors' quality of life, well-being, and health engagement. However, studies are usually focused on effectiveness and less on factors influencing survivors' decision to participate, both subjective (e.g., needs) and contingent (e.g., factors related to participation/non participation). This scoping review identifies factors influencing participation, decline to participate, attrition and adherence in psychological interventions.

METHODS

3 electronic databases were searched for published studies on psychological interventions. Retrieved publications were scanned by authors against inclusion criteria and forty-two articles were selected. Relevant information were summarized narratively.

RESULTS

More information is available on attrition and factors related to participation/non participation, so that future psychological interventions may employ ad-hoc tools to take into consideration patients' reasons to adhere to psychological interventions. Secondarily, non-participation/dropout is often linked to factors related to intervention' commitment and its interference with daily life. On the contrary, patients' reasons to participate often identify with the value they find in the intervention according to their personal needs and experience of illness.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that future research should analyze patients' representation of psychological interventions and take them into account to tailor the interventions on participants' lived experience, to improve participation.