A clinical trial of cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life with Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy (CPdC)

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a common worldwide illness; it evokes psychological distress at different stages, during chemotherapy patient perceives a variety of psychiatric symptoms due to various medication side-effects and psychological distress. Studies have shown a significant impact of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the management of psychiatric symptoms during chemotherapy. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of CBT for depression, anxiety, stress, death anxiety, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem among cancer patients during chemotherapy (CPdC). METHODS: Place and duration of the study: Department of Applied Psychology, Government College University Faisalabad in collaboration with Department of Oncology, Allied Hospital Faisalabad from November 20, 2020 and July 31, 2021. A total of 90 cancer patients were enrolled. 70 out of 90 met the eligibility criteria and 60 participants fulfilled all requirements. Participants were randomly allocated to four different groups. The pre-assessment screening was started along with the first trial of chemotherapy. The CBT-based treatment plan was formulated and one session per week was given to each patient for 3 to 4 months. Participants’ age range was 18–65 years (M ± SD = 47.51 ± 12.36. Demographic form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were administered. Descriptive, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA statistics were used to investigate the findings. RESULTS: Results indicated significant mean difference on the variable of depression, anxiety and stress across four conditions (i.e. F(2, 56) = 39.55, p < .000, η(2) = .679; F(2,56) = 73.32, p < .000, η(2) = .797; F(2,56) = 119.77, p < .000, η(2) = .865 respectively). On death anxiety significant difference across four conditions was found (F(2,56) = 22.71, p < .000, η(2) = .549) with large effect size. Furthermore, findings indicated significant mean difference on the variable of satisfaction with life and self-esteem across four conditions was found (F(2,56) = 22.05, p < .000, η(2) = .542; F(2,56) = 36.19, p < .000, η(2) = .660) with large effect size. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that CBT played a very effective role to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress-related psychiatric symptoms. CBT reduces the level of death anxiety and improving the quality of life and level of self-esteem among CPdC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study trial was registered in the Thai Clinical Trial Registry-TCTR (TCTR20201113002).