Depression and anxiety are more common in breast cancer patients. Anxiety and depression not only affect breast cancer patients’ quality of life, but also affect their lifestyle. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of logotherapy along with nutrition counseling on anxiety and depression in breast cancer survivors.

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 90 breast cancer survivors with a depression score above 14 were recruited. The participants were assigned to either a nutritional counceling (control) or a nutritional counseling plus logotherapy group. The control group received nutrition counseling at baseline and at the end of the fourth week of the study, while the intervention group received 8 weeks of logotherapy in addition to nutrition counseling. Both groups completed the Beck Depression Inventory and underwent anthropometric measurements before and after the intervention period. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

The mean (SD) age of the participants was 49 (10) years (range, 28-68 years). More than 50% of people in both groups had an education level of up to diploma or higher; most of them were married; and more than 60% were employed. In the nutrition counseling group, 80% had stage I and II cancer, 11% stage III. In the nutrition counseling plus logo therapy, 65% had stage I and II cancer, and 24% had stage III cancer. Within-group comparisons revealed significant decreases in anxiety and depression scores in both groups (P< 0.001). Also, the improvement in anxiety and depression was significantly greater in the nutrition counseling plus logo therapy group compared with the nutrition counseling group (P< 0.001).

This study shows that nutritional counseling and psychotherapy together can improve depression in breast cancer survivors. The use of psychotherapeutic interventions from the beginning of treatment not only balances the mind and mental health, but also improves the lifestyle and prevents its complications.