| Abstract: | One‐hundred and twenty‐four patients with metastatic breast cancer were randomised to either a group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) intervention, or to a no‐therapy control group condition. Both groups received standard oncological care; however, therapy recipients also attended eight weekly sessions of group CBT, followed by a family night, and three further monthly sessions. Patients completed the ‘Profile of Mood States’ (POMS) and the Coopersmith Self‐esteem Inventory (CSI) before and after therapy, and at 3 and 6 month follow‐up periods. Outcome data in the period following therapy showed reduced depression and total mood disturbance, as well as improved self‐esteem amongst therapy participants, relative to a no‐therapy control group. These improvements were no longer evident at the 3 or 6 month follow‐up assessments. We also report on the difficulties associated with conducting a group intervention with this patient cohort. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
