Aim
The purpose of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-session group-based Supportive Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) led by a Psycho-Oncologist for young adult survivors of childhood cancer (YASCC) during the survivorship period. We aim to assess the efficacy of this therapy by comparing it to usual care in YASCC.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) involved a total of 100 YASCC between the ages of 18-39 years, with 52 in the SEGT group and 48 in the control group. Participants psychological wellbing, body image disturbance, quality of life and spiritual wellbeing were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Body Image Scale (BIS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) at different time points.
Results
The results shows that the SEGT group showed substantially greater reductions in anxiety symptoms in both time points (large effect sizes: 0.812 and 0.824) compared to the Control group (small to moderate effect sizes: 0.358 and 0.569) and moderate improvements in depression at first follow up (effect sizes: 0.502 and 0.631), but the Control group also improved over time (effect sizes: 0.271 and 0.524)
Additionally, body image improved over time post-intervention; however, no significant difference was seen. We observed a substantial improvement in social and family well-being post-intervention, but no significant improvement in physical and spiritual well-being.
The study indicates that SEGT significantly enhances the overall psychological well-being of YASCC, although it exerts minimal or no influence on certain aspects of quality of life and spiritual well-being. Long-term interventions may yield sustained improvements in these areas.