Background: A low quality of life with symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress is generally present in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study consists of proving how a psychotherapeutic approach could improve the quality of life of patients, by reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: Eight patients were identified, all with a stage comprised between t1 and t2, some with N+ all with M0, all of them had completed the specific oncology therapies. The psychotherapy of this group lasted 6 months with a total of 24 meetings with transpersonal psychotherapy used. During the meetings specific techniques were used such as: bioenergetics, creative meditations and drawing with Simonton method. The assessment test used was the WHO/QOF, of which six major domains were extrapolated (physical, psychological, level of independence, social relations, environment and spirituality) using an analog-visual scale. Results: There was shown to be a general improvement in all domains studied and in particular, the physical and psychological domains. A doubling in score of the second domain was observed, increasing from an average of 4,11 to 8,6 (1,84 sd). In terms of the first domain (physical) it increased from a 5,06 to a 7,75 ( 1,6 7 sd). In the third domain (level of independence) it can be observed an increase from 7,89 to 9,31 (0,96 sd), in the fourth domain (social relations) it increases from 6,11 to 8,38 (1,85 sd), in the fifth domain (environment) from 6,67 to 8,25 (0,71 sd), in the second assessment in the domain (spirituality) it increases from 6,00 to 8,25 (1,91 sd). Discussion: Several studies assert how a significant frequency of anxiety, depression and low quality of life affect patients with breast cancer. This study shows that a transpersonal psychotherapy of a group is effective on quality of life, anxiety and depression. Conclusions: a psychotherapeutic approach of a group with transpersonal model can improve in a satisfactory manner the various aspects of quality of life in patients with breast cancer, reducing symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

The Quality of Life as Primary End Point in the Psychotherapeutic treatment of Breast Cancer

Marcello Aragona
Ultimo
2018-01-01

Abstract

Background: A low quality of life with symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress is generally present in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study consists of proving how a psychotherapeutic approach could improve the quality of life of patients, by reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: Eight patients were identified, all with a stage comprised between t1 and t2, some with N+ all with M0, all of them had completed the specific oncology therapies. The psychotherapy of this group lasted 6 months with a total of 24 meetings with transpersonal psychotherapy used. During the meetings specific techniques were used such as: bioenergetics, creative meditations and drawing with Simonton method. The assessment test used was the WHO/QOF, of which six major domains were extrapolated (physical, psychological, level of independence, social relations, environment and spirituality) using an analog-visual scale. Results: There was shown to be a general improvement in all domains studied and in particular, the physical and psychological domains. A doubling in score of the second domain was observed, increasing from an average of 4,11 to 8,6 (1,84 sd). In terms of the first domain (physical) it increased from a 5,06 to a 7,75 ( 1,6 7 sd). In the third domain (level of independence) it can be observed an increase from 7,89 to 9,31 (0,96 sd), in the fourth domain (social relations) it increases from 6,11 to 8,38 (1,85 sd), in the fifth domain (environment) from 6,67 to 8,25 (0,71 sd), in the second assessment in the domain (spirituality) it increases from 6,00 to 8,25 (1,91 sd). Discussion: Several studies assert how a significant frequency of anxiety, depression and low quality of life affect patients with breast cancer. This study shows that a transpersonal psychotherapy of a group is effective on quality of life, anxiety and depression. Conclusions: a psychotherapeutic approach of a group with transpersonal model can improve in a satisfactory manner the various aspects of quality of life in patients with breast cancer, reducing symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
2018
978-88-85864-06-1
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11570/3140520
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