Fear of cancer recurrence therapy (FORT): A randomized controlled trial.

• DOI: 10.1037/hea0001253
• Publication Date: 2023-03-02T14:55:50Z
• Authors: Christine Maheu; Sophie Lebel; Lori J. Bernstein; Christine Courbasson; Mina Singh; Sarah E. Ferguson; Cheryl Harris; Lynne Jolicoeur; Lorena Baku; Linda Muraca; Agnihotram V. Ram...; Frederic Lamonde; Monique Lefebvre; Christina Tomei; Brittany Mutsaers; Scott Secord; Joanne Power; Nancy Drummond; Maude Hébert; Rajvi J. Wani
• Keywords: PsycINFO

Most fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) interventions have small effects, and few target FCR. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) with breast gynecological survivors evaluated the efficacy a cognitive-existential therapy (FORT) compared to an attention placebo control group (living well [LWWC]) on FCR.One hundred sixty-four women clinical levels FCR distress were randomly assigned 6-weekly, 120 min FORT (n = 80) or LWWC 84) sessions. They completed questionnaires at baseline (T1), posttreatment (T2; primary endpoint), 3 (T3), 6 months (T4) posttreatment. Generalized linear models used compare differences in inventory (FCRI) total score secondary outcomes.FORT participants experienced greater reductions from T1 T2 FCRI between-group difference -9.48 points (p .0393), resulting medium effect -0.530, maintained T3 .0330) but not T4. For outcomes, improvements favor FORT, including triggers .0208), coping .0351), cognitive avoidance .0155), need for reassurance physicians .0117), quality life (mental health; p .0147).This RCT demonstrated that group, resulted reduction cancer, indicating its potential as new treatment strategy. We recommend booster session sustain gains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).