International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture
Volume:9 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

The goal of this study is to conduct a systematic review of cognitive-behavioral interventions for patients with cancer. The studies included in this review met the following criteria: (1) being a randomized clinical trial (RCT), (2) being a study of a cognitive-behavioral therapy that included psycho-educational, alternative, and complementary therapies (for example, acupuncture, relaxation), and tested expressive, supportive, and skill-based interventions, (3) adult participants (18 years or older) with cancer, and (4) the results being directly related to advanced studies. Treatment effects were not statistically significant in most studies, methods were not consistently described, and samples had limited racial/ethnic diversity, according to the studies included in this review. The internal validity of the studies included in this review posed significant challenges to the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions. A gap in the current knowledge base is the lack of information on the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions to support people with cancer. Practical requirements are tailored to the needs of people with advanced cancer, and well-designed studies are required to test interventions that improve cancer outcomes.
 

 Breast cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer in women. Today, it is known that variables such as self-compassion and life expectancy can improve and reduce the negative effects of this cancer. The current study aimed to compare self-compassion and life expectancy in women with and without breast cancer.

 The research was conducted using a descriptive-comparative approach. The statistical population included all women referred to specialized centers in Basra, Iraq, in 2020. Out of 1670 clients, 220 women with cancer (110 individuals) and healthy women (110 individuals) were sampled using the convenient sampling method and responded to the questionnaires. The Neff Self-Compassion Scale and Snyder Life Expectancy Questionnaire were used in the present study. The descriptive branches of frequency, mean, and standard deviation (SD), as well as statistical tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data with SPSS software.

 The mean ± SD of life expectancy of the healthy group was greater than that of the patients with cancer (P < 0.01). Patients with cancer (64.18 ± 5.48) and healthy people (62.49 ± 5.07) scored similarly on the Self-Compassion Scale. While there was no significant difference in the self-compassion variable, there were no differences between the two groups (P > 0.01). Besides, the cancer group had a lower life expectancy (13.62 ± 3.74) and the healthy group had a higher life expectancy (25.73 ± 4.34) (P < 0.01).

 Women with breast cancer have the same level of self-compassion as healthy women, but their life expectancy is lower.
 

 Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death and is associated with a decline in social performance. The current study aimed to examine the impact of positive psychology and Gestalt methods on the psychological well-being of patients with lung cancer.

 The current study was performed by quasi-experimental method with pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population included 187 patients with lung cancer referred to the oncology department of Al-Sadr Educational Hospital in Najaf, Iraq, in 2021 who were considered for this purpose. Simple random sampling was used to select 75 patients, divided into three groups: positive psychology, Gestalt, and control (each group included 25 patients). Positive psychology protocols and Gestalt therapy were implemented following psychotherapeutic principles, and their efficacy was assessed using the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale. The data were analyzed using a multivariate covariance test via SPSS software.

 After controlling for the effect of the pre-test with the Wilks’ Lambda index, there was a significant difference in psychological well-being between the groups (P < 0.01). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test showed that the intervention improved all aspects of psychological well-being (P < 0.01). Finally, the Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to compare the two methods and concluded that the variables of personal growth, self-acceptance, objective life, and mastery of the environment differed significantly between Gestalt and positive psychology groups (P < 0.001).

 Both positive psychology intervention and gestalt therapy have a positive effect on improving the well-being of patients with lung cancer. Additionally, Gestalt therapy has been more effective than positive psychology.
 

 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and in addition to clinical treatments, these patients must improve their mental health. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy and music therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer.

 The current study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design. In 2020, 241 patients with breast cancer were referred to the Basra Oncology Center, Basra, Iraq. Among them, 72 people were randomly divided into two intervention groups and a control group based on simple random sampling (24 people in each group). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered to all three groups in pre-test and post-test. The intervention groups participated in exercise and music therapy, whereas the control group did not. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with SPSS software.

 Exercise and music-based therapies reduced anxiety (F = 14.076, P < 0.001) and depression (F = 26.641, P < 0.001) in patients with breast cancer. In addition, the variables of anxiety (P = 0.214) and depression (P = 0.148) did not significantly differ between the two approaches.

 Exercise and music-based therapies can significantly alleviate anxiety and depression of patients with breast cancer, enhancing their quality of life. In the treatment and care departments, it is suggested that these treatments be viewed as non-invasive interventions.
 

 Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers among men. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of group reality therapy and neurofeedback in the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with PC.

 The method of the present study was a quasi-experimental research with pretest, posttest, and follow-up design. Out of 184 patients with PC, 60 were selected using the simple random sampling method. Three groups of reality therapy, neurofeedback, and control were formed with 20 members. The participants answered the state anxiety, trait anxiety (Spielberger, 1970), and depression (Beck, 1960) questionnaires in three pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

 There was a significant difference in the mean scores of trait anxiety, state anxiety, and depression (P ≤ 0.05). In the posttest phase, the control group had higher mean scores of depression than the two groups of reality therapy and neurofeedback (P ≤ 0.05), and the effects of reality therapy were better. The mean scores of anxiety and depression among patients with PC due to treatments were from 2.39 to 4.18, which showed an improvement.

 The two therapies used in this study, reality therapy and neurofeedback, reduced depression and anxiety in men with PC. However, the reality therapy method had better results than the neurofeedback method. Therefore, it is recommended that the method of reality therapy be used more.
 

 Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. Stigma can be attached to health-related problems or illnesses. That is, people with a certain disease might be stigmatized or devalued due to their illness. Most stigma studies focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), leprosy, and mental illnesses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the Cancer Stigma Scale (CSS).

 The present study is a validation study based on correlation and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The 25-item CSS was translated into Arabic by psychologists competent in both Arabic and English. Back translation was used to ensure transliteral equivalency. The scale was given to 262 Iraqi university students in Mosul University, Iraq, through convenience sampling. Item-total correlations, internal consistency reliability, and construct validity were examined. SPSS and AMOS software were used for data analysis.

 All the items had acceptable item-total correlations. They ranged from 0.49 to 0.72 (mean = 0.63) and all were significant at P < 0.01. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability was 0.88. CFA was used to examine the fit of the 6-factor solution arrived by the scale developers. Goodness of fit indicators [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.923, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.919, chi-square/degree of freedom (χ2/df) = 1.98, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.064] showed that the original 6-factor model had a good fit for the data.

 The Arabic version of the CSS was valid and reliable and can be used for measuring cancer stigma in the Arab-speaking general populations.
 

 Most men have prostate cancer (PC), the second leading cause of death. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Internet-based hope therapy on coping strategies in men with PC.

 A quasi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest design and a control group was used in this study. 317 men with PC were referred to the King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2020. Following the participants' voluntary selection, the pre-test stage was performed, and they were given the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Subjects were chosen by simple random sampling and divided into two groups of 25 experimental and control subjects. Before taking the post-test, the experimental group received hope therapy training. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and SPSS software.

 There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding stress (F = 57.495, P < 0.001), problem-oriented strategy (F = 33.041, P < 0.001), excitement strategy (F = 28.491, P < 0.001), and circuit avoidance strategy (F = 87.138, P < 0.001) variables. As a result, it can be concluded that the intervention was effective, and the experimental group outperformed the control group in the post-test stage.

 Hope therapy has a good effect on reducing stress in patients with PC and can be used to reduce the negative psychological consequences and increase effective coping strategies with stress.

 Breast cancer is the most emotionally and psychologically affecting cancer among women, causing the patient to experience profound emotional and psychological difficulties. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of semantic therapy on death anxiety, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain acceptance, and pain intensity in patients with breast cancer.

 The current study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up and a control group. All patients with breast cancer referred to King Fahad General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2019, comprised this study's statistical population of 218 individuals. Simple random sampling was used to select the statistical sample. Thus, 60 individuals were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group was administered the intervention via semantic therapy. Two months after the post-test, the groups underwent a follow-up examination. The repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS software.

 Semantic therapy positively affected dependent variables, including death anxiety (F = 52.067, P < 0.001), pain catastrophizing (F = 124.569, P < 0.001), chronic pain acceptance (F = 46.034, P < 0.001), and pain intensity (F = 156.413, P < 0.001).

 Semantic therapy decreases death anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and pain intensity, while increasing chronic pain acceptance.
 

 Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer and one of the world's leading causes of death. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate how well acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) treats distress tolerance and death anxiety in patients with lung cancer.

 The current research was practical in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of method with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of 317 patients with lung cancer referred to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2021. Simple random sampling was utilized to select 70 patients from the group. The participants were separated randomly into experimental and control groups (35 in each group). In order to collect information, questionnaires of distress tolerance and death anxiety were used. The SPSS software was used to perform repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

 The experimental and control groups differed in the post-test death anxiety measures and distress tolerance components (P < 0.001). In addition, the outcomes remained constant across the follow-up period (P < 0.001).

 This study showed that in patients with lung cancer, ACT raised distress tolerance and decreased anxiety about death. In addition to medical programs to lessen and manage discomfort and death anxiety, educational and psychological programs must be offered to patients with lung cancer in order to improve their mental health.

 The diagnosis of cancer, followed by lengthy treatment, poses a significant threat to patients' mental health. The current study aimed to examine the effectiveness of writing therapy on depression and anxiety of patients with leukemia.

 This study involved two groups in a randomized clinical trial. The statistical population of the current study comprised 384 patients of Baghdad Medical City, Iraq, who met the inclusion criteria, in 2019. A simple random sampling method was used to select a statistical sample of 110 individuals, who were then divided into experimental and control groups (55 members in each group). Data collection tools included Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used in SPSS software for data analysis.

 The writing therapy intervention approach reduced the anxiety (F = 67.864, P < 0.001) and depression (F = 54.218, P < 0.001) of patients with leukemia. In addition, none of the demographic variables of the study's participants had a significant relationship with the findings.

 Implementing the writing therapy intervention can improve the psychological symptoms of patients with leukemia.

 Anxiety and depression are among the factors requiring psychological treatment for children with cancer. The current study aims to compare the effectiveness of writing therapy and story therapy on anxiety and depression of children with cancer.

 The current study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test stages of writing therapy and story therapy, and a control group. The study's statistical population consisted of 137 children aged 9 to 13 years with various types of cancer at the King Fahad National Center for Children's Cancer and Research (KFNCCC&R) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, In 2021. Simple random sampling was used to select 48 people, who were divided into three groups of 16. The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) was used to measure the anxiety of children with cancer and the Lang and Tisher Children's Depression Scale (CDS) was used to measure depression. The current study used the SPSS software to conduct repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

 The group factor was significant for the variables of anxiety (F = 28.98, P < 0.001) and depression (F = 27.62, P < 0.001). Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed a statistically significant difference between the writing therapy and story therapy groups and the control group regarding anxiety and depression. Writing therapy had a significant difference and a stronger effect than story therapy (P < 0.001).

 Story therapy and writing therapy were equally successful in lowering anxiety and depression in young patients with cancer. Children with cancer should have access to skilled nursing personnel, psychotherapists, and intervention techniques in addition to necessary and conventional medical therapies.

 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the fourth most common cancer globally. The current study aimed to see how positive group psychotherapy affected self-differentiation in men with prostate cancer.

 The current study was an experimental type and was done by conducting a pre- and post-test. The statistical population of this study was all men with prostate cancer of Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq (197 men) in 2020. Using simple random sampling, 50 patients with prostate cancer were selected as sample members. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R) was used to collect data. Data were analyzed with multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) using SPSS software.

 Comparing pre-test and post-test scores revealed a significant difference in the variable of self-differentiation between the experimental and control groups, so that all of its components, including mixing with other people (F = 38.117, P < 0.001), emotional reactivity (F = 56.483, P < 0.001), personal position (F = 39.540, P < 0.001), and emotional detachment (F = 43.329, P < 0.001) exhibited a significant difference. In other words, positive group psychology increased self-differentiation of patients with prostate cancer.

 Due to the high prevalence of prostate cancer in the world and Iraq, this treatment can be administered in the oncology and radiotherapy departments with a psychologist's assistance to expedite patients' recovery.

 Gastric (stomach) cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the north region of Iraq, despite its prevalence substantially falling globally in recent years. It is a multi-factorial illness that arises from ongoing cell damage brought on by a lifetime exposure to various carcinogens. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on physical health and quality of life (QOL) in patients with gastric cancer.

 The research was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test stages and control group. Only 28 of the 53 participants who received a gastric cancer diagnosis were deemed suitable for the trial. Patients were randomly separated into experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 14) groups after being chosen via purposeful sampling. The experimental group participated in eight sessions of 60 minutes of ACT. No interventions were given to the control group. The Physical Symptoms Inventory (PSI) developed by Powell and Enright (1991), the cancer-specific EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) by Aaronson et al. (1988), and a demographic information questionnaire were the three questionnaires utilized in this research. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS software. Significance level was defined as P ≤ 0.05.

 ACT was effective on physical health (F = 5.49, P < 0.04) and QOL (F = 37.42, P < 0.01) in patients with gastric (stomach) cancer.

 Given that ACT is helpful in enhancing QOL and physical health in patients with gastric (stomach) cancer, health care facilities might use this intervention technique as a supplemental therapy to lessen the negative effects that these patients encounter.
 

 Because of the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in patients with breast cancer (BC), the present study investigated the effectiveness of group logotherapy (LT) on life expectancy and death anxiety in women with BC.

 The method of this research was quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, and control group design. The statistical population of the current research consisted of all women with BC who were referred to Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, in 2020 for treatment after mastectomy. Out of 157 patients with BC, 40 were selected using the purposive sampling method. Two groups of LT and control were formed with 20 participants. The participants answered the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Miller Life Expectancy Questionnaire employed via Miller Hope Scale in two pre-test and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. For data analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.

 The results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that there was a significant difference between post-test of groups in life expectancy (F = 11.24, P ≤ 0.001) and death anxiety (F = 30.78, P ≤ 0.001).

 LT effectively decreased death anxiety and raised life expectancy in women with BC. Therefore, LT as a psychological intervention can improve the quality of life of people with chronic diseases such as BC.
 

 Cancer is one of the most important health problems in this century. Harmful effects of this disease on all physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and economic dimensions of human beings are among the factors that have attracted the attention of experts. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life based on spiritual well-being with the moderating role of self-compassion in patients with cancer in Isfahan Province, Iran.

 The research design was descriptive correlational. The study population included all patients with cancer in Isfahan Province in 2021, of which 100 were selected conveniently. To measure the variables, Raes et al. Self-Compassion Scale Short-Form, Ware et al. quality of life scale, and Dehshiri et al. Spiritual Well-Being Scale were used. Data were analyzed using path analysis with SPSS and AMOS software.

 Based on the analysis of the findings, it was found that there was a positive and significant correlation between self-sufficiency (r = 0.37) and spiritual well-being (r = 0.39) with quality of life (P < 0.01). Moreover, self-care and spiritual well-being were significant predictors of quality of life (P < 0.01). The predicted quality of life of participants was +0.052 (self-compassion) 0.216 + 15.295 + 0.295. The quality of life of participants increased by 0.216 for each self-compassion score and 0.052 for each spiritual well-being score.

 It is suggested that counselors and psychologists improve the quality of life of patients with cancer by using measures for self-sufficiency and increasing spiritual well-being.
 

 Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with various complications and morbidities due to treatment modalities. Most patients suffer from psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, poor quality of life, and sleep. Bioenergy Economy (BEE)-based program is an integrative mind-body care model that targets the development of individuals' well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the BEE program on the four factors of depression, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients with breast cancer.

 This study was a clinical trial on 20 patients with the stage I-III of breast cancer who were referred to an oncologist in Isfahan, Iran. The candidates were selected by the convenience sampling method and the BEE protocol was done for all of the patients in 8 sessions. Depression, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep quality of the patients were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires, respectively. The trial had no control group. All assessments were done in 3-time courses consisting of before the intervention, immediately after, and one year after the intervention.

 This study evaluated 20 patients with breast cancer. The mean score of depression and anxiety significantly decreased immediately after the intervention and then significantly increased in a 1-year follow-up (P = 0.003 and P = 0.014, respectively, for depression and P = 0.006 and P = 0.003, respectively, for anxiety). Evaluating the quality of life in different 8 subscales showed significant changes in subscales of physical functioning and social role functioning immediately after the intervention and in the 1-year follow-up in comparison with the pre-test (P = 0.007 and P = 0.005, respectively). The mean score of sleep quality was increased immediately after the intervention and also during the 1-year follow-up.

 The BEE program can be considered a psycho-oncology intervention in patients with breast cancer, alongside their conventional treatments. The findings suggest that for the sustained mental health of patients with cancer, a continuous BEE practice might be demanded.

 Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in women, significantly leading to depression, anxiety, and stress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a couple's educational program on anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients with mastectomy.

 This randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in Isfahan, Iran, in 2017. The study participants included 45 breast cancer patients which were divided into an intervention (n = 21) and a control group (n = 24). The intervention group received
3 educational sessions on dealing with post-mastectomy complications, coping with difficult emotions, and maintaining sexual relationships. Their depression, anxiety, and stress scores were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale ‎(DASS) on the screening session, and then, 12 weeks after the intervention. In the control group, patients were given general education about breast cancer. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Repeated measures ANCOVA and Independent t-test were used to compare the quantitative variables between the two groups.

 In the intervention group, depression, anxiety, and stress scores significantly decreased after the education (P < 0.01). In the control group, there was no significant difference in the depression, anxiety, and stress scores between the screening session and 12 weeks after the intervention (P < 0.05).

 Specific education on maintaining sexual relationships and coping psychologically following a mastectomy can help decrease depression, anxiety, and stress in breast cancer patients and their partners.