A problem solving intervention for caregivers of cancer patients. A randomized controlled trial of a brief psychoeducational support group for partners of early stage breast cancer patients. Surviving cancer competently intervention program (SCCIP): a cognitive-behavioral and family therapy intervention for adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and their families.
Effects of a psychosocial intervention program on spouses of cancer patients , and on the cancer patients themselves , will be described . A six session intervention program , which included support , problem-solving and coping skills , was design ed to help spouses to cope with the stress of caring for their partner . Forty male and forty female spouses of cancer patients of a regional oncology center were r and omly assigned to intervention or usual treatment conditions .  Spouses and patients were interviewed prior to intervention , and within two weeks after intervention on a battery of assessment instruments including : ( 1 ) demographic variables ; ( 2 ) psychological variables ; ( 3 ) health status ; ( 4 ) social supports ; ( 5 ) assessment of pressing problems ; ( 6 ) coping skills ; ( 7 ) burden levels ; and ( 8) marital satisfaction . Participants were found to be more psychologically distressed than the general population but were not as distressed as psychiatric out patients . Differences were also found in marital satisfaction and coping activities , when compared to the general population . No significant differences between the conditions were found on any of the measures . Caregivers ' level of caregiving activities proved to be low . It is suggested that this may account for why the intervention only appeared effective for a distressed sub sample of the caregivers in the study . The implication s of these findings is discussed . Recommendations are also made for future research on cancer caregivers Partners of breast cancer patients are relied upon for support at a time when their own coping abilities are taxed by the challenge of cancer , yet few studies have investigated psychosocial interventions that include or target the patient 's ' significant other ' . Of the 118 consecutive patients approached , 36 patients and their partners participated in a r and omized controlled trial of a brief psychoeducational group program for partners only .  Psychometric instruments ( including the Profile of Mood States ( POMS ) , the Index of Marital Satisfaction ( IMS ) and DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Scale ( FSSS ) ) were administered pre-test , post-test and at 3 months follow-up . The Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale ( MAC ) was also completed by patients . Three months after the intervention , partners had less mood disturbance than did controls . Patients whose partners received the intervention reported less mood disturbance , greater confidant support ( CS ) and greater marital satisfaction Psychological reactions to having had childhood cancer often continue after treatment ends , for survivors and their parents . Based on our previous research , we developed an intervention program for adolescent survivors of childhood cancer , their parents , and siblings . Surviving Cancer Competently : An Intervention Program -- SCCIP -- is a one-day family group intervention that combines cognitive-behavioral and family therapy approaches . The goals of SCCIP are to reduce symptoms of distress and to improve family functioning and development . SCCIP is described and data from a pilot study of 19 families are presented . Program evaluation data indicated that all family members found SCCIP helpful . St and ardized measures administered before the intervention and again at 6 months after SCCIP showed that symptoms of posttraumatic stress and anxiety decreased . Changes in family functioning were more difficult to discern . Overall , the results were promising with regard to the feasibility of the program and its potential for reducing symptoms of distress for all family members
Objective There are few support programs with evidence -based practice s which address the needs of cancer survivors from indigenous population s. This systematic review analysed the experiences and current support services for cancer survivors from indigenous population s following the cessation of cancer treatment .