Effect of Supportive Psychotherapy on Mental Health Status and Quality of Life of Female Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Recurrent Disease

CONTEXT: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for their recurrent disease often report the presence of anxiety and depression. AIMS: In the study, we intended to find out the mental health status and overall quality of life (QOL) of such patients and to identify the effect of supportive psychotherapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty cancer patients undergoing second or subsequent line chemotherapy(CCT) were selected for psychotherapy session. Pre- and post-psychotherapy evaluation of anxiety and depression was determined by hospital anxiety depression scale. The QOL was measured before and after psychotherapy sessions by using WHO QOL-BREF scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done by paired t-test, using SPSS V.20. RESULTS: Among 40 patients, 17 patients had breast cancer, and the remaining had ovarian cancer. All breast cancer and 19 ovarian cancer patients were receiving 2(nd) line CCT. Four ovarian cancer patients were undergoing 3(rd) line CCT. Results indicated that mean scores (± standard deviation) of anxiety 13.95 (±4) and depression 15.5 (±4.4) both exceeded the cut-off score of 11 and mean score of QOL physical health 29.77 (±10.1), psychological health 31.3 (±10.1), social relationship 35.1 (±9.6), and environmental condition 25.9 (±9.9) was below cut-off score of 60. After psychotherapy, there was significant reduction in anxiety (P < 0.01), depression (P < 0.01) and improvement on QOL physical heath (P = 0.02), psychological health (P < 0.01), environmental condition (P < 0.01), and social relationship (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Supportive psychotherapy helps to reduce the level of anxiety, depression, and increase the QOL. Therefore, psychotherapeutic intervention should be encouraged along with chemotherapy to promote positive mental health and to obtain full benefit of their physical treatment.