Long-term follow-up of a randomized study of support group intervention in women with primary breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite a fairly good prognosis, many breast-cancer patients suffer from symptoms such as anxiety, depression and fatigue, which may affect health-related quality of life and may persist for several years. The aim of the present study was to perform a long-term follow-up of a randomized study of support group intervention in women after primary breast cancer treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and eighty two women with primary breast cancer were randomized to support group intervention or control group, 181 in each group. Women in the intervention group participated in 1 week of intervention followed by 4 days of follow-up 2 months later. This is a long-term follow-up undertaken, in average, 6.5 years after randomization. Patients answered the questionnaires the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer module questionnaire (BR 23), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) and the Norwegian version of the fatigue scale (FQ).

RESULTS

After adjusting for treatment with chemotherapy, age, marriage, education and children at home, there was a significant improvement in physical, mental and total fatigue (FQ), cognitive function, body image and future perspective (EORTC QLQ C30 and BR23) in the intervention group compared with controls. The proportion of women affected by high anxiety and depression scores were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Support intervention significantly improved cognitive function, body image, future perspective and fatigue, compared with to the findings in the control group.

A randomized controlled trial of support group intervention after breast cancer treatment: results on sick leave, health care utilization and health economy

BACKGROUND

More than 50% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed before the age of 65. Returning to work after treatment is, therefore, of interest for both the individual and society. The aim was to study the effect of support group intervention on sick leave and health care utilization in economic terms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Of 382 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer, 191 + 191 patients were randomized to an intervention group or to a routine control group, respectively. The intervention group received support intervention on a residential basis for one week, followed by four days of follow-up two months later. The support intervention included informative-educational sections, relaxation training, mental visualization and non-verbal communication. Patients answered a questionnaire at baseline, two, six and 12 months about sick leave and health care utilization.

RESULTS

There was a trend towards longer sick leave and more health care utilization in the intervention group. The difference in total costs was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group after 12 months (p = 0.0036).

CONCLUSION

Costs to society were not reduced with intervention in its present form.

A randomised controlled trial of support group intervention after breast cancer treatment: results on anxiety and depression

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that between 20 and 30% of women treated for breast cancer have measurable signs of anxiety and depression compared with 6% in a population of healthy women. Depression has been proposed as a predictive factor for recurrence and survival. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if psychosocial support intervention could influence anxiety and depression during the first year after diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were randomised between April 2002 and November 2007 and stratified by adjuvant chemotherapy. Of 382 eligible patients, 191 + 191 patients were randomised to intervention group or control group, respectively. Control patients were subjected to standard follow-up routines. The Intervention group had support intervention at the Foundation Lustgården Mälardalen. The rehabilitation lasted one week on a residential basis followed by four days of follow-up two months later. We used the Swedish version of the HAD scale with a cut-off value greater than 10 for clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

Support group intervention lowered anxiety over time (p < 0.001) but depression was unaffected (p = 0.610).

CONCLUSION

This prospective randomised trial of support group intervention in a large homogenous group of breast cancer women showed a statistically significant effect on lowering anxiety over time. No statistically significant effect of intervention could be seen on depression.