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


Author: Vella EJ, Budd M.

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine, 514 Science Bldg, 96 Falmouth Street, Portland, ME 04104, USA. 
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2011 Nov
Other:
 Volume ID: 17   ,  Issue ID: 4   ,  Pages: 209-14   ,  Word Count: 149  
    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.



Published by Elsevier Ltd.



PMID: 21982135