Workbook/journal on coping with breast cancer and supportive expressive group therapy using videoconferencing in Depression and Breast Cancer and Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - Clinical Trials Registry

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Women with breast cancer in rural areas are likely exhaust their usual sources of psychosocial support while still facing challenges posed by breast cancer, but are unlikely to have access to professionally-led support groups. In this community-based project, we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of providing support groups to women with breast cancer in a large rural area using videoconferencing and a workbook journal, and we assessed the intervention's potential to reduce distress and increase emotional expression and self-efficacy for coping with cancer. Twenty-seven women in the Intermountain Region of northeastern California participated in 8-session support groups led by an oncology social worker by going to nearby videoconferencing sites. Feasibility and acceptability were demonstrated. Older as well as younger women were comfortable using videoconferencing and said the groups were valuable because they promoted information sharing and emotional bonds with other women with breast cancer. They emphasized the importance of a professional facilitator and identified advantages of using videoconferencing for support groups. Pretest and posttest comparisons showed significant decreases in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. The results suggest that the intervention has the potential to provide a valuable service that is not readily available in rural communities.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

40

Phase

Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

United States
- California
  - Stanford, California, United States, 94305
    - Stanford University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

21 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1) has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 2) is a woman

Exclusion Criteria:

1) under 21 years of age, and 2) does not speak and read English

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale
Posttraumatic Stress Checklist

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Cancer Behavior Inventory
Courtauld Emotional Control Scale

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Stanford University

Collaborators

University of California, Berkeley

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Cheryl Koopman, Ph.D., Stanford University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

November 1, 2004

Study Completion

June 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 13, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria