PHASE-II STUDY OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN ADVANCED CANCER

The effect of psychosocial counseling on tumor progression was studied in 96 cancer patients, who were no longer amenable to regular medical treatment. Patients were offered 12 session of individual experientia l-existential counseling, each sessions lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. In add ition patients participated fortnightly in group counseling meetings. In five out of 35 evaluable patients, tumor growth became stationary d uring or immediately following therapy. In four patients this stationa ry period last 3-9 months, and in one patient 2 years. Natural Killer cell activity, self-reported loneliness, depression, purpose in life a nd locus of control showed no change from pre- to post intervention. ( C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.