A Controled Study Of Supportive Group Psychotherapy For 68 Patients With Advanced Cancer

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of Supportive Group Therapy in the patients with advanced cancer and to assess therapeutic factors in the group therapy. Methods:68 patients with advanced cancer was randomized to Supportive Group Psychotherapy (SGP) or to control group with a 8-week observation. Rating Scale and lab test was assessed and compared independently both at baseline and at the end of 8th week, included the Self-Rating Anxiety scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression scale (SDS), Quality of life questionnaire in terminally ill cancer patients(QLQ-C30) and immune function. The important therapeutic factor based on Yalom's therapeutic factors questionnaire was also investigated. Results:1. Compared to baseline, the trail group had significant reduction in the scores at anxiety (P<0.01, 2-tailed) and depression (P<0.05, 2-tailed), showed a significant improvement in psychological function and physical sufferings. The control group, in the contrary, had significant increase in the scores at anxiety (P<0.01, 2-tailed), showed a significant reduction in quality of life compared to the baseline.2. Compared to controls, after a 8-week SGP, the trail group reduced more in the scores at anxiety (P<0.01,2-tailed) and depression (P<0.05,2-tailed), showed a significant improvement in quality of life and the level of CD 16.3. It is suggested that the important therapeutic factors in this group of people are instillation of hope, catharsis, imparting information, existential factors, groupcohesiveness. Conclusion:SGP, for patients with advanced cancer, can lessen anxiety and depression mood, improve psychosocial function, reduce physical sufferings and build global quality of life. SGP can also increase the CD 16 level in the patients. With the data we believe that the more important therapeutic factors in the therapy for this group of people are instillation of hope, catharsis, imparting information, existential factors and group cohesiveness. We suggest SGP can be used as a supplementary therapy for the patients with terminal diseases to improve their quality of life.