EFFECTS OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION ON PLASMA-CORTISOL AND LYMPHOCYTESIN BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

In order to evaluate the effects of a behavioral intervention on endoc rine and immunological parameters, 24 breast cancer patients were inve stigated after standard surgical treatment of their tumors and without adjuvant tumor treatment. Of these, 14 patients were allocated to the intervention group and 10 patients served as controls. Interventions were conducted once a week over a period of 10 weeks. To determine sho rt- and longer-term intervention effects on plasma concentration of co rtisol and lymphocyte numbers, blood samples were taken before and aft er the second and 10th session. Psychological variables such as illnes s-related coping showed no changes within the intervention period (10 weeks). However, there were short- (pre- versus post sessions) and lon ger-term (9 weeks) reductions in plasma levels of cortisol in the inte rvention group. In parallel to the reduced plasma concentration of cor tisol, a short-term increase of lymphocyte numbers after the second an d the 10th session, as well as an increase over a period of nine weeks in the intervention group, was observed. This data indicate that beha vioral intervention influences endocrine and immunological functions i n breast cancer patients.