The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in a sample of patients with breast cancer, in order to reduce levels of anxiety and depression, and develop positive coping skills to improve the perception of quality of life.

Method: The study subject were a sample of fifteen patients that had accepted to collaborate in the study, they signed an informed consent. They were receiving treatment in the area of oncology at Hospital Central “Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto” of the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The study began with one group of individual intervention, in a convenience sampling; with a measure of pre and posttest. We used three standardized test to measure the progress of the intervention. We used, the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), Whoqol Bref test (quality of life) and CAEPO (stress coping questionnaire for cancer patients). We used individual cognitive behavioral therapy an average of ten sessions for person, determined on the basis of a cognitive behavioral treatment manual, previously developed.

Results: There have been certain statistically and clinically significant differences, we found among patients who participated in the study. In quality of life we observed differences on physical health domain, t=-2.75, p=0.016 and social relationships t=-2.17, p=0.048, We also found differences, in the anxiety subscale t=2.35, p=0.027 and overall HAD scale, t=2.81, p=0.014. With coping we observed differences, on denial sub-scale, W=74, p=0.048. It is concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy proved efficacy in the study sample.