The Efficacy of Short-Term Psycho-Oncological Interventions for Women with Gynaecological Cancer: A Randomized Study
Lebenswissenschaftliche Fakultät
Objectives: We aimed to examine the efficacy of two psycho-oncological interventions in anxiety, depression, and self-perceived as well as physiological stress in inpatients with gynaecological cancer. Methods: Forty-five women were included in the trial. Thirty-five were categorized as being at high risk of anxiety and depression, and were randomized to either a single psycho-oncological therapy session or a single-session relaxation intervention. Results: A significant decrease in anxiety [mean (t₀) = 12, mean (t<sub>1</sub>) = 7.47, p = 0.001] and depression [mean (t₀) = 9.71, mean (t<sub>1</sub>) = 6.35, p < 0.001] was observed in the psycho-oncological intervention group. In the relaxation group, anxiety also significantly decreased [mean (t₀) = 11.67, mean (t<sub>1</sub>) = 8.22, p = 0.003], whereas depression did not. A comparative analysis of both interventions showed a trend in favour of psycho-oncological therapy for the treatment of depression (F = 3.3, p = 0.078). However, self-reported stress (p = 0.031) and different objective stress parameters only significantly decreased in the relaxation group. Conclusions: Psycho-oncological interventions should represent an essential part of interdisciplinary care for gynaecological cancer patients. Both types of intervention may reduce anxiety. However, the single psycho-oncological therapy session might be slightly more effective in treating depression, whereas the single-session relaxation intervention seems to have a stronger effect on physiological stress parameters.
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This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.