New Delhi: In a promising development in the field of oncology, research released on Wednesday suggests that cancer survivors may also benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a sort of psychotherapy, by having better mental health and a higher quality of life.
US researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that CBT was linked to minor gains in overall quality of life and mental health, irrespective of the type of cancer.
The study, published in the journal Cancer Medicine, revealed that younger patients benefited more visibly from CBT, suggesting that age could impact the therapy’s efficacy.
“In addition to confirming the general benefit of CBT for individuals with cancer, this study revealed important nuances of how CBT can be most effective and for which populations. This has major clinical implications for supportive oncology providers,” said Anao Zhang from the University of Michigan.
A comprehensive study of 132 clinical trials comparing CBT with diverse control groups, including standard therapy, waitlist controls, and active or alternative therapies, has yielded important information about the impact of CBT on cancer patients, both past and present.
They found that the mode of delivery significantly affected the outcomes, with in-person CBT sessions doing better than virtual ones through web-based video conferencing platforms.
Also read – Obese children are at higher risk of developing immune related diseases finds a study
The results underscore the importance of personalized treatment plans in supportive oncology. This approach ensures that CBT is delivered in a manner that best meets each patient’s needs, thereby maximizing the potential benefits.
The study’s findings have significant clinical implications, particularly for supportive oncology providers, who are critical to the mental health of cancer patients. In addition to confirming the general benefits of CBT in this cohort, the study provides valuable information regarding the efficacy of therapy in other subgroups, such as older patients, patients with specific cancer types, and patients undergoing specific cancer treatments.
The study highlights the need for oncology practitioners to consider many factors, such as patient age, cancer type, treatment stage, and the mode of CBT delivery when designing treatment plans to guarantee that patients receive optimal support.
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
–IANS
