Effectiveness of Transpersonal Therapy (Spiritual Therapy, Yoga-Meditation) in Reducing Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Psycho-spiritual therapy (mind-body spirituality) is a multidimensional, transpersonal, and integrative intervention for breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of counseling based on transpersonal psychotherapy (spirituality therapy, mind and body) in reducing the fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors.

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design conducted in Motamed cancer clinic, Tehran. Iran. Thirty breast cancer patients who had finished their treatment were randomly allocated to either an experimental or a control group, 15 patients each. Both groups completed the Persian version Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. Then, the experimental group participated in transpersonal therapy for 14 sessions, a 2-hour session every week. Both groups completed the aforementioned questionnaire again immediately and two months after the intervention. The data were analyzed with an independent t test and the analysis of variance for repeated measures.

  In the experimental group, the mean fear of recurrence was significantly lower immediately (58.87± 17.86) and at the 2-month follow-up (54.07± 11.88) compared with the baseline (106.80± 15.32) (P< 0.001). However, no difference was observed in the control group.  Also, there were significant differences between the two groups in the mean scores for all components of fear of recurrence, including triggers, severity, psychological distress, coping strategies, functioning impairments, and insight (P< 0.001), except for reassurance.

Based on the findings of the present study, counseling based on transpersonal psychotherapy can reduce the fear of recurrence and stress and increase adaptation and insight in cancer patients. This method increases relaxation, reduces stress, contributing to improved quality of life.