Applying the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) on Emotional Regulation, Cognitive Flexibility, Mindful Emotional Awareness and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) for women with breast cancer.

It was a pilot randomized controlled trial in which women with breast cancer were allocated to a 9-week Unified Protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (UP) (n=14) or a wait-list control group (n=15). Pre-and post-intervention, the Beck Depression Scale (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Scale (CERQ), Emotional Awareness Level Scale (LEAS), and The EORTC Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-BR23) were completed.

Significant reductions in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms, as well as maladaptive emotional regulation strategies, were observed within the UP from baseline to post-treatment. Compared to the waitlist-control condition, participants in the UP condition showed increased adaptive strategies of emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, mindful emotional awareness, and quality of life.

The findings provide preliminary evidence for the utility of the UP in the reduction of psychological dysfunctions and improving the quality of life in women with breast cancer.