The effects of Group counseling on Symptom Scales of QOL in patients with Breast Cancer Treated by Chemotherapy

Introduction: With regard to the importance of QOL in patients with cancer especially breast cancer and researches conflicts about quality and quantity of effect of counseling on QOL promotion in such patients and for determining the effect of group counseling on Symptom scales of QOL in patients with breast cancer treated by chemotherapy, this study performed in Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2005 in Tehran.

Material and Methods: this is a randomized clinical trial. 164 women 25-55 years old undergoing chemotherapy due to breast cancer and with mastectomy history were studied in two groups Control group (n= 82) and Experimental group (n=82).Sample allocated method was employed randomly according to the latest number of patient case in which odds located in control groups and evens in exprimental group. It was designed a session of counseling for exprimental group. QOL of patients were measured in the begining and end of the study by two-standard questionnaires (QLQ_ Br 23, QLQ-C30).

Results: Results revealed that the mean age of the two groups were (40.84 ± 7.7 and 41.72 ± 8.4 with a range of 25-55 in control and exprimental groups) respectively . Mean of chemotherapy sessions in control group was 8.26± 2.47 and in the exprimental group was 8.3± 2.66 with a range of 3-12.Also nursing counseling cause QOL symptom scales promotion in exprimental group (P<0.001). General symptom scales (insomnia, pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, appetite loss, constipation and diarrhea) and special symptom scales (arm symptoms, breast symptoms, systemic therapy side effect) were improved in exprimental group by means of counseling (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the above results it is concluded that applying group counseling is an effective method in QOL promotion for such clients in their medical supportive centers.