Enhancing Well-Being in Cancer Survivors Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Oncology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Cancer significantly impacts patients' psychological health, with some survivors experiencing post-traumatic growth (PTG).
• Mechanisms and interventions to enhance PTG remain underexplored.
• This study focuses on breast, head and neck, and colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group intervention in promoting PTG.
• To explore psychological and physiological factors associated with ACT, including anxiety, depression, and spiritual well-being.
• To investigate potential mechanisms and broader outcomes of ACT in cancer survivors.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ACT intervention with standard care.
• Six-week group sessions for patients who completed oncological therapy.
• Assessment using validated questionnaires (PTGI, FACIT-Sp, IES-R, HADS) and biomarkers.

Main Results:

• The ACT intervention demonstrated efficacy in fostering post-traumatic growth (PTG) among cancer survivors.
• Significant improvements were observed in psychological well-being indicators.
• Exploratory analyses are examining the impact on anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, and biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• ACT-based group interventions show promise for enhancing PTG in cancer survivors.
• Findings can inform clinical practice and the development of evidence-based supportive care strategies.
• The study contributes to understanding therapeutic approaches for cancer patient empowerment.