Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment
Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of online group meetings for breast cancer patients in the active phase of treatment. The group therapy sessions took place weekly, synchronously, online, on Zoom, with a total of 12 meetings lasting about 2.5 h per session, between Dece...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2311 |
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| author | Elena Gabriela Vâlcu Dorel Firescu Aurel Nechita Anamaria Ciubară Georgiana Bianca Constantin Gabriela Rahnea-Nita Laura-Florentina Rebegea |
| author_facet | Elena Gabriela Vâlcu Dorel Firescu Aurel Nechita Anamaria Ciubară Georgiana Bianca Constantin Gabriela Rahnea-Nita Laura-Florentina Rebegea |
| author_sort | Elena Gabriela Vâlcu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of online group meetings for breast cancer patients in the active phase of treatment. The group therapy sessions took place weekly, synchronously, online, on Zoom, with a total of 12 meetings lasting about 2.5 h per session, between December 2021 and February 2022. We analyzed the topics of discussion chosen by the participants, the structure of the group, the results obtained at the main scales of evaluation/monitoring of quality of life and the motivation of patients to participate in the therapeutic group. All patients were in the active phase of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.). The main goal of the group therapy was to reduce the stress related to the disease. Material and methods: Systematic observations included ABS psychological tests, EQ-5D-5L, HADS—Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Recurrence Fear Questionnaire; the questionnaires were administered at the beginning and at the end of the therapeutic intervention; the participation in the therapy and in the research of the patients began after signing the informed consent document; the intervention was evaluated at the end using a feedback questionnaire. The group was closed, and the participants signed an informed consent document and agreed to have the sessions recorded. Results: Comparing the initial with the final results of the psychological tests administered, there was an improvement in the quality of life of the participants in all areas, with a clinically significant decrease in the areas of pain and depression, along with an increase in perception of well-being, a decrease in FoP scores and an increase in the level of rationality about the disease. Conclusions: Group therapy for cancer patients was useful in improving the quality of life; the closed group, even online, provided a safe environment in which they could share feelings. A close correlation was noted between the scores obtained on the FoP-Q and HADS scales. It is evident that there is a strong relationship between FoP and depression. Results on these scales correlated well with results on the EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:54:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
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| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-a9912b8fb38c4a08a763c24e5b1827ed2023-11-19T01:19:06ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-08-011116231110.3390/healthcare11162311Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological TreatmentElena Gabriela Vâlcu0Dorel Firescu1Aurel Nechita2Anamaria Ciubară3Georgiana Bianca Constantin4Gabriela Rahnea-Nita5Laura-Florentina Rebegea6School of Advanced Doctoral Studies, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaSchool of Advanced Doctoral Studies, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaSchool of Advanced Doctoral Studies, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaSchool of Advanced Doctoral Studies, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaClinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaSchool of Advanced Doctoral Studies, “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaIntroduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of online group meetings for breast cancer patients in the active phase of treatment. The group therapy sessions took place weekly, synchronously, online, on Zoom, with a total of 12 meetings lasting about 2.5 h per session, between December 2021 and February 2022. We analyzed the topics of discussion chosen by the participants, the structure of the group, the results obtained at the main scales of evaluation/monitoring of quality of life and the motivation of patients to participate in the therapeutic group. All patients were in the active phase of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.). The main goal of the group therapy was to reduce the stress related to the disease. Material and methods: Systematic observations included ABS psychological tests, EQ-5D-5L, HADS—Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Recurrence Fear Questionnaire; the questionnaires were administered at the beginning and at the end of the therapeutic intervention; the participation in the therapy and in the research of the patients began after signing the informed consent document; the intervention was evaluated at the end using a feedback questionnaire. The group was closed, and the participants signed an informed consent document and agreed to have the sessions recorded. Results: Comparing the initial with the final results of the psychological tests administered, there was an improvement in the quality of life of the participants in all areas, with a clinically significant decrease in the areas of pain and depression, along with an increase in perception of well-being, a decrease in FoP scores and an increase in the level of rationality about the disease. Conclusions: Group therapy for cancer patients was useful in improving the quality of life; the closed group, even online, provided a safe environment in which they could share feelings. A close correlation was noted between the scores obtained on the FoP-Q and HADS scales. It is evident that there is a strong relationship between FoP and depression. Results on these scales correlated well with results on the EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2311online group therapycyberspacebreast cancerEQ-5D-5L (European Quality of Life)depressionanxiety |
| spellingShingle | Elena Gabriela Vâlcu Dorel Firescu Aurel Nechita Anamaria Ciubară Georgiana Bianca Constantin Gabriela Rahnea-Nita Laura-Florentina Rebegea Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment Healthcare online group therapy cyberspace breast cancer EQ-5D-5L (European Quality of Life) depression anxiety |
| title | Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment |
| title_full | Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment |
| title_short | Considerations Regarding Online Group Psychotherapy Sessions for Breast Cancer Patients in Active Phase of Oncological Treatment |
| title_sort | considerations regarding online group psychotherapy sessions for breast cancer patients in active phase of oncological treatment |
| topic | online group therapy cyberspace breast cancer EQ-5D-5L (European Quality of Life) depression anxiety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/16/2311 |
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