Cognitive-existential group psychotherapy for @entity1 with primary XXXX : a randomised controlled trial.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity0 @entity5 @entity147 @entity148
BACKGROUND: We conducted a randomised, controlled trial of cognitive-existential group therapy (CEGT) for @entity1 with @entity5 @entity0 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with the aim of improving mood and mental attitude to @entity5 . METHODS: @entity1 were randomised to 20 sessions of weekly group therapy plus 3 relaxation classes or to a control arm receiving 3 relaxation classes. Assessments, independently done at baseline, 6 and 12 months, included a structured psychiatric interview and validated questionnaires covering mood, attitudes to @entity5 , family relationships, and satisfaction with therapy. RESULTS: Three hundred and three of 491 (62%) eligible @entity1 participated over 3 years. @entity147 was high pre-intervention: 10% were diagnosed as suffering from @entity308 , 27% from minor @entity308 and 9% from @entity148 . On an intention-to-treat analysis, there was a trend for those receiving group therapy (n=154) to have reduced @entity148 (p=0.05, 2-sided) compared to controls (n=149). @entity1 in group therapy also showed a trend towards improved family functioning compared to controls (p=0.07, 2-sided). The @entity1 in the groups reported greater satisfaction with their therapy (p<0.001, 2-sided), appreciating the support and citing better coping, self-growth and increased knowledge about @entity5 and its treatment. They valued the CEGT therapy. Overall effect size for the group intervention was small (d=0.25), with @entity5 recurrence having a deleterious effect in three of the 19 therapy groups. Psychologists as a discipline achieved a moderate mean effect size (d=0.52). CONCLUSION: CEGT is a useful adjuvant psychological therapy for @entity1 with @entity5 @entity0 . Interaction effects between group members and therapists are relevant to outcome. Group-as-a-whole effects are powerful, but the training and experience of the therapist is especially critical to an efficacious outcome.
