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A randomized controlled trial of a supportive expressive group intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer
Author(s) -
Esplen Mary Jane,
Leszcz Molyn,
Hunter Jonathan,
Wong Jiahui,
Leung Yvonne W.,
Toner Brenda,
Messner Sandra,
Glendon Gord,
Stuckless Noreen,
Butler Catherine
Publication year - 2018
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.4822
Subject(s) - psychosocial , randomized controlled trial , psychological intervention , family history , breast cancer , medicine , anxiety , population , distress , clinical psychology , psychology , psychiatry , cancer , environmental health
Objective Women with a family history of breast cancer (BC) often overestimate their BC risk. Heightened psychological distress may interfere with risk comprehension and screening adherence. The primary purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a 12‐week manual‐based supportive‐expressive (SE) group intervention for this population. Methods Using a randomized control trial design, this study compared two interventions: a standard risk‐counseling arm (RC) compared with that plus SE group intervention. The primary study outcome was BC anxiety. Secondary outcomes included psychosocial functioning, risk comprehension, BC knowledge, and screening behaviors. Results A total of 161 women with a family history of BC were randomized into SE ( N = 108) or RC ( N = 53). Participants in both study arms significantly improved on measures of BC anxiety, psychosocial functioning, risk comprehension, and BC knowledge, with no statistical difference between study arms. Benefits were sustained at 1 year. BC screening rates were high in both arms at baseline and follow‐up. Conclusions SE group therapy as an added intervention to the risk counseling was well‐received, however, did not demonstrate superiority to RC alone. Future studies on treatment matching are needed to further our understanding of interventions that can support women with a family history of BC to work through residual issues, including loss and grief.