Stress Management Intervention Reduces Serum Cortisol and Increases Relaxation During Treatment for Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer

Bibliographic Data

ID19306232
AuthorsKristin M Phillips (University of Miami), Michael H Antoni (0000-0002-3971-0873, corresponding author), Suzanne C Lechner, Bonnie B Blomberg (0000-0002-3753-6058), Maria M Llabre (0000-0002-7450-2498), Eli Avisar (0000-0003-0771-464X), Stefan Glück, Robert DerHagopian, Robert P Derhagopian, Charles S Carver (0000-0002-3688-8545)
Year2008
Volume70
Issue9
Pages1044-1049
Publication date2008-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychosomatic Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3174 • E-ISSN: 1534-7796
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/psy.0b013e318186fb27
PMID18842742
OpenAlexW2028576952
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited23

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention, which was composed of relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and coping skills training on late afternoon serum cortisol and relaxation indicators in women who were undergoing treatment for nonmetastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Participants (N = 128) were randomly assigned to receive a 10-week CBSM group intervention or a 1-day psychoeducation seminar. Serum cortisol was collected and ability to relax was assessed at study entry and again at 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Data were analyzed using latent growth curve modeling. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of study condition on change across time for both cortisol and perceived ability to relax. Women receiving CBSM had significantly greater reductions in cortisol levels across the 12 months compared with those in the control group, who had no appreciable decline. Women receiving CBSM reported greater increases in ability to relax than controls across time. Perceived ability to relax did not mediate CBSM-related reductions in cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: Women who participate in a 10-week CBSM intervention during treatment for breast cancer show decreases in physiological stress in parallel with increases in perceived relaxation skills. This is the first study demonstrating well-maintained reductions in cortisol after a CBSM intervention in cancer patients during and just after treatment

Breast cancer · Cancer · Coping (psychology) · Intervention (counseling) · Psychiatry · Psychoeducation · Relaxation (psychology) · Stress management · Cancer survivorship and care · Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies · Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response · Clinical Psychology · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Psychology

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