Pilot Study: Retreat intervention predicts improved quality of life and reduced psychological distress among breast cancer patients

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2011

Publication Title

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Keywords

Breast cancer, Art therapy, Quality of life, Spiritual well-being, Psychological distress

Abstract

Purpose

Evaluate the effectiveness of a week-long residential retreat intervention incorporating photographic art therapy in concert with psychoanalytically oriented group therapy and mind-body practices in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life (QoL) and spiritual well-being for breast cancer patients.

Methods

28 female breast cancer patients completed self report assessments of psychological distress, QoL, and spiritual well-being on the first day of the retreat, the last day of the retreat, and a 6 week follow up assessment.

Results

Repeated measures MANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons revealed the retreat experience to predict significant and sustained reductions in depression, anxiety, and somatic stress, coupled with sustained improvements in QoL and spiritual well-being.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that breast cancer patients may benefit from participation in a week-long multi-modal retreat center experience involving photographic art therapy and structured group therapy as a means to explore personal strain.

Comments

Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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