A randomized controlled trial of expressive writing in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Breast cancer survivors who develop lymphedema report poorer quality of life (QoL) than those without lymphedema. Expressive writing is a potential intervention to address QoL.

Design

Adult women (N = 107) with breast cancer and chronic Stage II lymphedema were randomised to writing about thoughts and feelings specific to lymphedema and its treatment (intervention) or about daily activities (control) for four, 20-min sessions.

Main outcome measures

Outcome measures were several indicators of QoL assessed at baseline, one, three, and six months post-intervention (total scores and subscales of Upper Limb Lymphedema 27 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast). Hypothesised moderators of change in QoL were dispositional optimism, avoidant behaviours,

SUBMITTER: Sohl SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5571730 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature