Efficacy of Psychodynamic Short-term Psychotherapy for Depressed Breast Cancer Patients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal BMC Cancer

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Oncology

Date 2012 Dec 11

PMID 23217093

Citations 5

Authors

Rudiger Zwerenz

Manfred E Beutel

Barbara H Imruck

Jorg Wiltink

Antje Haselbacher

Christian Ruckes

Heinz Schmidberger

Gerald Hoffmann

Marcus Schmidt

Uwe Kohler

Dagmar Langanke

Rolf-Dieter Kortmann

Susanne Kuhnt

Gregor Weissflog

Yvette Barthel

Katja Leuteritz

Elmar Brahler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of psychotherapeutic trials of treatments of comorbid depression in cancer patients. Our study determines the efficacy of a manualized short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and predictors of outcome by personality and quality of the therapeutic relationship.

Methods/design: Eligible breast cancer patients with comorbid depression are assigned to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (up to 20 + 5 sessions) or to treatment as usual (augmented by recommendation for counseling center and physician information). We plan to recruit a total of 180 patients (90 per arm) in two centers. Assessments are conducted pretreatment, after 6 (treatment termination) and 12 months (follow-up). The primary outcome measures are reduction of the depression score in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and remission of depression as assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Disorders by independent, blinded assessors at treatment termination. Secondary outcomes refer to quality of life.

Discussion: We investigate the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in acute care and we aim to identify predictors for acceptance and success of treatment.

Trial Registration: ISRCTN96793588.

Citing Articles

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Children and Employment - Resource or Stressors after Breast Cancer?.

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