Real-world evaluation of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based group programme for breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence

Sinclair, F., Gillanders, D., Rooney, N., Bonathan, C., Hendry, K., McLoone, P. and Hewitt, C. (2023) Real-world evaluation of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based group programme for breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 700. (doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08179-3)

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)–based group programme on participants’ fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), quality of life (QoL), psychological distress and psychological flexibility at the end of the programme and 12-week follow-up. Methods: A one-group, post-test service evaluation of a real-world psychological programme was carried out to evaluate collected outcome measures and attendance for a total of 21 groups facilitated between 2017 and 2019. Participants were breast cancer survivors who attended a 6-week group programme led by NHS clinicians. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA analyses were carried out for each outcome measure. Attendance levels were examined to assess acceptability. Results: A total of 97 group participants who had completed curative treatment for breast cancer took part. Of whom, 89% completed at least 4 of the 6 weekly group sessions and 76% attended the 12-week follow-up session. Eighty-four (87%) participants returned outcome measures at all three time points relative to group participation (T1 = pre, T2 = post T3 = 12-week follow-up). Group participants were female, mean age 51.9 years. FCR was highest at T1 (mean 25.2, SD 4.7), reduced T2 (mean 21.2, SD 5.4) and further lowered T3 (mean 19.5, SD 6.2). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). QoL was lowest at T1 (mean 62.4, SD 15.7), increased T2 (mean 71.7, SD 18.1) and further increased at T3 (mean 75.9, SD 17.5). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Psychological distress measures were shown to reduce, and psychological flexibility increased. Conclusions: This real-world evaluation of an ACT-based group programme led to improvements in FCR, QoL, psychological distress and psychological flexibility in this population. This evaluation provides basis for further investigation to determine if these results can be replicated by controlled research design across diverse populations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The funding for the group programme running between January 2017 and December 2019, and encompassing the data analysed with this service evaluation, was provided by Breast Cancer 2000 (SC030630) and Beatson Cancer Charity (SC044442).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McLoone, Mr Philip and Hendry, Miss Kirsty
• Authors: Sinclair, F., Gillanders, D., Rooney, N., Bonathan, C., Hendry, K., McLoone, P., and Hewitt, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Supportive Care in Cancer
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0941-4355
• ISSN (Online): 1433-7339
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Supportive Care in Cancer 31:700
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License