Psichological treatment to cope with breast cancer. A comparative study between strategies of acceptance and cognitive control

Abstract

The aim of current study was to analyze the psychological disorders associated with the diagnosis, treatment and consequences of breast cancer through the functional dimension of Emotional Avoidance, as well as to provide some empirical support for the usefulness of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in this domain. Specifically, the impact of acceptance-based and cognitive-control-based strategies was compared, with the purpose of obtaining a better understanding of the elements that account for the changes observed with the respective psychological strategies. Twelve women diagnosed and treated with breast cancer who assisted to the Spanish Association against Cancer and who met certain selection criteria were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: six women received an ACT-based protocol which addressed acceptance strategies and six women received a Cognitive-based protocol which addressed cognitive control strategies. Each treatment consisted of 8 sessions, 3 individual sessions and 5 group sessions; 3 women integrated each treatment group. Measures on anxiety, depression, life quality and affected valued life areas were obtained at pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, three follow-up were taken, at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results showed a higher impact of the ACT-based intervention, mainly when long-term changes were considered (12 months follow-up). Other remarkable finding was that the changes observed in the ACT condition were associated to a behavioural activation, even when discomfort and suffering were present.