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Hand in Hand. Psychological Support and Counseling to Breast Cancer Patients and Their Partners

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Behavioral: Psychological intervention
Registration Number
NCT01368380
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern Denmark
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effect of a psychological intervention to breast cancer patients and their partners compared to a control group receiving usual care

Detailed Description

The intervention intends to improving the patient and partners well-being, quality of life and their relationship adjustment.

The couples in the intervention group participates i six to eight couple sessions. The sessions is conducted by an experienced psychologist and takes place one to five months after the patients cancer diagnosis. The control group receives usual care.

The framework of the intervention is attachment theory and the psychologists support and advise the couples in talking candidly about their feelings regarding their new life situation with cancer. The psychologist focus on the couples ability to feel comfortable and safe in each others presence.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
198
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women newly diagnosed with a primary breast cancer (in the last 4 weeks)
  • Women cohabiting with a male partner in a romantic relationship
  • Patient and partner speaks and reads danish
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients having a previous cancer diagnosis
  • Neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer
  • Previous hospital admission with diagnosed psychotic episodes

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Psychological InterventionPsychological intervention-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in The Profile of Mood States - Short Form (POMS-SF)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, 10 months follow-up

Assesses mood changes. Assessed by both patients and partners

Change in Impact of Event Scale (IES)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, 10 months follow-up

IES assesses traumatic reactions to the breast cancer diagnosis. Assessed by both patients and partners

Change in The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, 10 months follow-up

Assesses feelings of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Assessed by both patients and partners.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Dyadic Adjustment Scale - Revised (DAS-R)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, 10 months follow-up

Assesses relationship functioning and marital satisfaction. Assesed by both patients and partners

Change in Relationship Questionnaire (RQ)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention, 10 months follow-up

RQ provides a profile of an individual's attachment feelings and behaviour. Assessed by both patients and partners

Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast (FACT-B)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up

Assesses health-related quality of life with additional questions for women dignosed with breast cancer.

Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - general population (FACT-GP)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up

Assesses health-related quality of life. Assessed by partners

Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-FatigueBaseline, 2 weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up

Assesses individual fellings of fatigue. Assessed by the patients

Change in Post Traumatic Growth Inventory2-weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up

Assesses positive changes in individuals experiencing traumatic life events. Assessed by both patients and partners

Change in EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)Baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up

Assesses health-related quality of life. Assessed by both patients and partners

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Herlev University Hospital

🇩🇰

Herlev, Denmark

Odense University Hospital

🇩🇰

Odense, Denmark

Ringsted Hospital

🇩🇰

Ringsted, Denmark

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