Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy for Women with Primary Breast Cancer

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 78 - 90
• Main Authors: Garlick, Max, Wall, Kathleen, Corwin, Diana, Koopman, Cheryl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.03.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Anxiety; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Cancer therapies; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - psychology; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - psychology; Carcinoma, Lobular - psychology; Consciousness; Coping; Emotions; Existentialism; Family Medicine; Female; General Practice; Health Psychology; Humans; Internal-External Control; Intervention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Meditation; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Patients; Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data; Post traumatic stress disorder; Post-traumatic growth; Psychometrics; Psychotherapy, Brief - methods; Psychotherapy, Group - methods; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Skills; Spirituality; Womens health; Spirituality; Breast cancer; Posttraumatic growth; Mindfulness; Group intervention; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1068-9583; 1573-3572
• DOI: 10.1007/s10880-011-9224-9

Breast cancer presents physical and psychological challenges, but can also result in posttraumatic growth (PTG). Twenty-four women completed Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy (PSIT) treatment and completed assessments for PTG and QOL before, immediately following, and 1 month after treatment. Women showed improvement ( p  <  . 01) on the FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) Physical Well-being, Emotional Well-being, and Functional Well-being subscales, on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Depression, Anger, and Fatigue subscales ( p  <  . 05), and on their POMS Tension, Vigor and Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores ( p  < .01). Also, women showed improvement on the FACIT-Sp-Ex (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual) Meaning/Peace subscale, the Spiritual Well-being total scale ( p  <  . 01), and on the New Possibilities ( p  < .01) and Personal Strength ( p  < .05) subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). This preliminary study suggests that PSIT may improve well being and stimulate PTG in breast cancer patients.