Persistent effects of a structured psychiatric intervention on breast cancer patients' emotions

The aim of the present study was to investigate persistence of the clinical effectiveness of a 5-weekly structured group intervention program for Japa nese breast cancer patients. Each program is a series of five 90-min sessio ns, which include psycho-education, problem-solving, psychological support, relaxation training, and guided imagery. Fifty-seven patients with breast cancer participated in the program and the 47 who completed were analyzed. The results of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were compared befor e, just after, and 6 months after the intervention. According to the change in POMS scores, the clinical effectiveness of a structured group intervent ion program persisted for 6 months for the patients who had no psychiatric diagnoses at entry. By contrast, this 5-weekly intervention program did not show persistent effects for patients who had a psychiatric diagnosis at en try. Therefore, additional intervention would be needed for patients with p sychiatric diagnosis at entry.