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Effectiveness of a Psycho-educational Group (PEG) Intervention on Supportive Care and Survivorship Issues in Early-stage Breast Cancer Survivors Who Have Received Systemic Treatment

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cancer
Anxiety
Interventions
Behavioral: Psychoeducation group
Behavioral: Usual Care
Registration Number
NCT02600299
Lead Sponsor
National University of Singapore
Brief Summary

As cancer mortality rates improve in Asia, there is an increasing focus on patient-reported outcomes and survivorship issues. In view of the numerous medication and psychosocial issues that are commonly faced by early-stage breast cancer survivors, it deems important to develop and conduct specific interventional programs to mitigate these problems. In the literature, it is well recognized that psychosocial interventions are effective to manage emotional distress and quality of life, with the evidence clearly clustered in studies on female patients with breast cancer. One meta-analysis suggested that psycho-oncologic interventions including individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, relaxing training can produce positive effects on emotional distress, anxiety and depression, and health-related QOL.

The investigators hypothesize that a significant reduction in anxiety, improvement of cognition and improvement of health-related quality of life among those who receive psycho-education, in comparison to those in the usual care. Hence, this randomized trial is designed to assess the effectiveness of a psycho-educational group (PEG) intervention on supportive care and survivorship issues, which include anxiety, depression, cognitive function, toxicities management of cancer- or treatment- related physical symptoms, and health-related quality of life in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients diagnosed with breast cancer were included if they met the following criteria:

    • 21 years or older
    • able to read and understand either English or Mandarin
    • diagnosis of Stages 1-3 breast cancer by a medical oncologist
    • completed adjuvant cytotoxic treatment
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with severe psychiatric diagnosis such as severe cognitive disorders, mood disorders (psychiatric disorders requiring hospitalization) or serious personality disorders).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention ArmPsychoeducation groupOn the basis of previous studies that evaluated PEG interventions for women with breast cancer, a structured program based on the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles was developed. Patients in the PEG group will be involved in three sessions of psychoeducation. The PEG program is designed to cover the various aspects outlined by the IOM on quality cancer survivorship. This program is designed to take place on three individual days on a weekend. For each session, three major topics will be covered, with lectures and interactive workshop integrated. Sessions will be conducted by healthcare professionals who are experts/well-versed in their respective domains.
Usual CareUsual CareNo active intervention provided.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Severity of anxiety, as measured using Beck Anxiety InventoryWithin one month after the program
Quality of lifeWithin one month after the program
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Severity of cognitive dysfunction, as measured using FACT-CogWithin one month after the program
Severity of symptom burden, as measured using Rotterdam Symptom ChecklistWithin one month after the program

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Cancer Centre Singapore

🇸🇬

Singapore, Singapore

National Cancer Centre Singapore
🇸🇬Singapore, Singapore
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