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A culturally adapted survivorship programme for Asian early stage breast cancer patients in Singapore: A randomized, controlled trial
Author(s) -
Chan Alexandre,
Gan Yan Xiang,
Oh Suan Kai,
Ng Terence,
Shwe Maung,
Chan Raymond,
Ng Raymond,
Goh Brandon,
Tan Yee Pin,
Fan Gilbert
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4357
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , psychoeducation , breast cancer , distress , intervention (counseling) , cancer , clinical psychology , nursing
Background As cancer mortality rates improve in Singapore, there is an increasing need to improve the transition to posttreatment survivorship care. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducation group (PEG) intervention program compared with usual care to reduce distress for physical symptom and psychological aspects in Asian breast cancer survivors who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods This was a randomized, controlled trial comprising 72 Asian early stage breast cancer survivors who were randomized into the PEG (n = 34) or the control (n = 38) arm. The participants in the PEG arm underwent a weekly multidisciplinary PEG program delivered in a group format over 3 weeks coupled with cultural adaptation. Both arms were assessed at baseline and 2 months after intervention using the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and EORTC QLQ‐C30. A satisfaction questionnaire was also conducted among those survivors who have participated in the PEG program. Effective sizes were calculated using Cohen d . Results The mean age ± SD of all participants was 53.0 ± 8.9 years, with the majority being Chinese (84.7%) and Malay (6.9%), and clinical characteristics were well balanced in both arms. Compared to the control arm, the PEG arm showed a significantly greater reduction in physical symptom distress ( d = 0.76, P = .01) and fatigue ( d = 0.49, P = .04). The 82.4% of the participants in the intervention group responded to the satisfaction questionnaire, and the majority (92.9%) agreed that the overall duration of the PEG intervention program was appropriate. Conclusions A culturally adapted PEG program was effective in reducing physical symptom distress in Asian breast cancer survivors. ( ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02600299)