Application of rational emotive behavior therapy in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Yuxin Liu, Xiaoyan Ni, Rong Wang and 2 others
PMID 35509702WHAT IT FOUND
Adding a 6-week bundle of counseling, education, WeChat, group talks, relaxation, music and homework to routine nursing care was associated with lower anxiety, depression, symptom burden and sleep problems during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
No single component can be credited.
Key findings
01The REBT group's HADS and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time, while the control group's did not or worsened.
02Symptom scores increased in the control group over time, while REBT scores stayed similar or decreased; groups differed significantly on symptom scores at weeks 4 and 6.
03Sleep scores decreased in the REBT group and increased in the control group after intervention, with group differences in sleep quality, efficiency, disturbances and daytime dysfunction.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study was done at one hospital in China, so results may not apply to other settings. Only 56 patients completed, with 28 in each group, so the study is small. Patients were assigned by hospital admission date, so differences between the two time periods could explain some results. Participants volunteered and had to use WeChat, so they may not represent all patients. Most participants had lower education and stage III or IV disease, so results may not apply to all patients with colorectal cancer. The intervention included routine nursing care plus counseling, WeChat education, group sessions, relaxation diagrams, music and homework, so no single component can be separated. Two control patients changed treatment and two intervention patients were transferred, so not all enrolled patients completed.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. One author received partial support from the Education Department of Hunan Province.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that rational emotive behavior therapy alone caused the improvements. Patients were assigned by hospital admission date, and the intervention was a bundle added to routine nursing care, including health files, group problem-solving, WeChat education, relaxation, music and homework, so no single component can be credited.