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Five Sessions Intervention to Facilitate Adaptation to Breast Cancer

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Behavioral: Relaxation Training
Behavioral: Health Education Control
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Training
Registration Number
NCT02103387
Lead Sponsor
University of Miami
Brief Summary

To test the effects of 2 different 5-wk stress management interventions (cognitive behavioral training or relaxation training) vs. a time-matched 5-wk health education condition on psychosocial adaptation and physiological adaptation in women being treated for breast cancer. Participants assigned to either of the stress management conditions will show improved psychosocial adaptation and physiological adaptation compared to those assigned to the health education condition.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of 5-wk group-based stress management interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy \[CBT\] or relaxation training \[RT\]) vs a time-matched 5-wk group-based health education (HE) condition on psychosocial adaptation (negative and positive mood, social disruption) and physiological adaptation (cortisol and immune function) in women with non-metastatic breast cancer who are undergoing primary treatment. Participants are recruited in the weeks after surgery and before the start of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation, are assessed for baseline psychosocial and physiological adaptation indicators, and are then randomly allocated to either CBT, RT or HE. They are re-assessed for psychosocial and physiological adaptation at 6 and 12 month follow-up. Primary hypothesis is that women assigned to CBT or RT will show greater reductions in negative affect and social disruption, and greater increases in positive affect over time compared to women assigned to HE. Secondary hypothesis is that women assigned to CBT or RT will show greater decreases in cortisol and greater increases in immune functioning over time compared to those assigned to HE.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
194
Inclusion Criteria
  • women diagnosed with breast cancer at stage III or below who had recently undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy
Exclusion Criteria
  • prior cancer, prior psychiatric treatment for a serious disorder (e.g., psychosis, suicidality), lack of fluency in English and had begun adjuvant therapy at time of first assessment

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Relaxation TrainingRelaxation TrainingRelaxation Training 5 weekly 1.5-hour sessions of group-based relaxation training
Health Education ControlHealth Education ControlHealth Education Control 5 weekly 1.5 sessions of group-based health education training
Cognitive Behavioral TrainingCognitive Behavioral TrainingCognitive Behavioral Training 5 weekly 1.5-hour sessions of group-based cognitive behavioral training
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Negative affect as measured by the Affect Balance Scale- Negative Affect subscaleChanges in scores from baseline to 12-month follow-up

Change from baseline to 12-month follow-up in the Affect Balance Scale- Negative Affect subscale. The Affect Balance Scale includes 40 adjectives assessing negative and positive mood. The Negative Affect subscale (i.e., depression, hostility, guilt, anxiety) will be used. Each emotional state is rated on a Likert Scale (0=never to 5= always) based on the past week and items are averaged, with higher scores indicating more negative affect. Possible scores range from 0-5.

Positive affect as measured by the Affect Balance Scale- Positive Affect subscaleChanges in scores from baseline to 12-month follow-up

Change from baseline to 12-month follow-up in the Affect Balance Scale- Positive Affect subscale. The Affect Balance Scale includes 40 adjectives assessing negative and positive mood. The Positive Affect subscale (i.e., affection, contentment, vigor, joy) will be used. Each emotional state is rated on a Likert Scale (0=never to 5= always) based on the past week and items are averaged, with higher scores indicating more positive affect. Possible scores range from 0-5.

Social disruption as measure by the Sickness Impact Profile- Social Interaction subscaleChanges in scores from baseline to 12-month follow-up

Change from baseline to 12-month follow-up in the Sickness Impact Profile- Social Interaction subscale, a 16-item subscale measuring the level of disruption in social activities. Respondents are asked statements regarding social disengagement as they specifically apply to their breast cancer (e.g., "I am doing fewer social activities with groups of people") over the past few weeks, and are asked to respond either No (0) or Yes (1), this applies to me. Scores are summed, with higher scores indicating greater social disruption. Possible scores range from 0-16.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Physiological Adaptation12 month follow-up

Change from baseline to 12 month follow-up in physiological adaptation (decreased serum cortisol, and increased Th1 cytokine production and lower Th2 cytokine production following anti-CD3 stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Psychology

🇺🇸

Coral Gables, Florida, United States

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