Behavioral activation therapy in cancer patients: An intervention proposal

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the beliefs and emotions of hospitalized patients in the Oncology Service of the Hospital Juárez of Mexico and to design a program of psychological intervention based on behavioral activation therapy. We used modified natural semantic networks (Reyes-Lagunes, 1993), which started from a central concept (node), which are produced specific words with semantic value for its importance to patients. Participants were 25 inpatients, 19 women and 6 men in treatment for cancer were interviewed between June and September of 2011. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel version 2007 to further develop a proposed psychological intervention based on behavioral activation to control intrusive thoughts, anxiety and depression. The results showed that inactivity and long hospital stays favor the presence of negative moods. So we propose the implementation of behavioral activation programs as a source of natural reinforcement that favors an increase in activities and a significant change in mood, avoiding the continued presence of anxiety and depression even outside the hospital.