Effects of community-based support versus psychoeducational group interventions on the quality of life of cancer patients.

摘要

This study compares the relative effectiveness of supportive and psychoeducational group interventions in influencing the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients presenting at a community support organization. The study also evaluates the impact of amount of involvement and sequence of participation in these groups. 349 cancer patients with a variety of diagnoses and stages of disease completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) at baseline and post-tests at three and six months, after either one or two group interventions. Although patients in each intervention demonstrated significant improvements in QOL, no differences in QOL outcomes were found between supportive and psychoeducational groups. In addition, no differential QOL benefits were found between patients who participated in one versus two group interventions or between those who participated in both groups in varying sequences. The findings suggest that in community settings, these two types of interventions produce similar beneficial effects. Additionally, results indicate that patients need not attend groups for a certain length of time or in a specific order to obtain these benefits. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.