Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in promoting wellness of cancer patients on chemotherapy

• Main Author: Kallookaran, Thomas Cherian
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2004
• Subjects: Operant behavior; Cancer > Patients; Cancer > Chemotherapy; Conditioned response; Counseling Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/16
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study examined the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on women who had recently been diagnosed with and treated surgically and with chemotherapy for second stage breast cancer. The purpose was to present the baseline wellness profiles of these patients, find the impact of Personal Wellness Plan in enhancing wellness in the areas of realistic beliefs, stress management, and nutrition, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving global wellness and quality of life of these patients. The study also investigated the difference between recipients and non-recipients of treatment. Using the purposive sampling method, five patients were selected, four for intervention and one for control condition. They were assessed within 10 weeks of their surgery using Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle, Beck's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory aside from reports collected. The psychosocial interventions included education, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, visualization, diet, and spiritual interventions. Trends such as positive beliefs, optimism, reduction in anxiety and depression, absence of physical symptoms, tolerance of medical treatment, prayerfulness, improved socialization, and an enhanced functional level and quality of life were noted with the intervention patients at the end of the treatment contrary to the control patient. These therapeutic gains were maintained to the 6-week follow-up. The study recommends integration of psychosocial interventions and medical treatment for breast cancer.