Eficacia de la terapia de grupo en cáncer de mama: variaciones en la calidad de vida

Abstract

Group therapy is increasingly used with oncological patients. The present research supports that a group intervention improves the quality of life of breast cancer patients. A sample of 142 patients who demanded psychological group support in the Association Against Cancer was used. 69 of these participate in different support groups and 73 were derived to a waiting list. The Font’s quality of life questionnaire was applied in the first interview and right after the group sessions. The psycho-educational group therapy was structured into 4 modules along 20 sessions: anxiety, depression, self-esteem and body image, affective relationships and sexuality. Results indicate that the patients who participated in the support group evaluated their actual life in a more satisfactory way (compared to the first valuation), changing from a loss of the quality of life of 49.1 points (maximum of 100) to only 27.1 (P<0.001). The emotional state was also improved: depression diminished in significant way, changing from an average of 53 to 36.3, and interest in the daily life was recovered (P<0,05). Anxiety and fear was also reduced although but not significantly. We conclude that the psychological intervention group is efficient to improve different aspects of the quality of life of breast cancer women.