Phase II Study of Psychotherapeutic Intervention in Advanced Cancer

Abstract

The effect of psychosocial counseling on tumor progression was studied in 96 cancer patients, who were no longer amenable to regular medical treatment. Patients were offered 12 sessions of individual experiential-existential counseling, each session lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. In addition patients participated fortnightly in group counseling meetings. In five out of 35 evaluable patients, tumor growth became stationary during or immediately following therapy. In four patients this stationary period last 3–9 months, and in one patient 2 years. Natural Killer cell activity, self-reported loneliness, depression, purpose in life and locus of control showed no change from pre- to post intervention. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.