Improving Quality of Life in Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Brief Intervention for Patients and Their Partners

Abstract

The current study examines the effects of a psychological intervention that encourages emotional expression in ovarian cancer patients and their partners. Ovarian cancer patients (n=130) and their partners are randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Following Pennebaker's model, subjects in the intervention group are asked to write about their deepest thoughts and feelings regarding their cancer experience for 20 minutes each day for three consecutive days. The control group is asked to write about trivial non-emotional topics. Outcome variables including psychological distress, quality of life, and physical symptoms is assessed at baseline and over a period of nine months after the intervention (one week, three, six, and nine months). In accordance with our approved Statement of Work data collection is currently underway. 88 subjects completed the data collection process. Data processing is completed, including data entry and verification. Preliminary data analyses are ongoing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA477939

Entities

People

  • Sandra G. Zakowski

Organizations

  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cancer
  • Cognition
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Science
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Gynecologic Cancers
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neoplasms
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Psychological Adaptation
  • Quality Of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Societies

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Oncology
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.