Effect of Group Therapy on Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Turkish Patients with Breast Cancer

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the group therapy on psychological symptomsand quality of life of patients with early stage breast cancer.
Methods: This study was performed on 16 breastcancer patients who completed treatments. The total group therapy program involved a weekly session of 2-3hours, for 16 weeks. The group therapy sessions were given to women in the oncology department by a clinicalpsychologist and also given training sections by the different professional teams. All the required assessments forthe study were performed after and before 16 week group therapy intervention.
Results: Initially we had taken21 women but 16 participated in all therapy programs and submitted questionnaires. The mean age was 47.8years. There were significant differences between before and after group therapy program. Anxiety, depression,and distress showed significant improvements. Hopelessness scale was detected at the border of significance.There was no change in sleep problems and quality of life. According to the analysis of correlation, consideringthe age factor and year of diagnosis, there was found no statistically significant relationship between anxiety,distress, depression, hopelessness, sleeplessness, and quality of life.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstratedthat brief, predominantly group therapy is feasible for patients with breast cancer and, also it may be helpfulto cope with emotional and physical distress