Comparison of Religious Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Citalopram on Depression and Anxiety among Women with Breast Cancer: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

摘要

There has been evidence supporting the reduction of depression and anxiety by religious psychotherapy in cancer patients,however, there have been scarce randomized controlled trials. Therefore, there is a need for replication in a well-designedstudy to investigate the efficacy of these interventions among depressed women with breast cancer. A randomizedcontrolled trial is designed to be conducted on 160 women with breast cancer. Participants will be screened for anxietyand depression diagnosed by clinical interview based on the DSM-IV criteria and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale.Golriz and Baraheni’s Religious Attitude Questionnaire will be used to assess the religious attitude. Individuals meetingthe prerequisites will be randomly allocated to four groups, each containing 40 participants, including three interventiongroups (RCBT, CBT, and citalopram) and one control group (usual breast cancer treatment). An instrument by theEORTCQLQ-C30 and BR-23 will be used to measure the quality of life. Blood tests will be taken to assess biomarkers withthe (ELISA) method. The results will determine whether RCBT is more effective than other treatments. If so, the outcomesof the study will have implications not only for the management of similar problems in cancer patients but also for themanagement of other chronic diseases.