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ABSTRACT: Background
Medication side effects are strongly determined by non-pharmacological, nocebo mechanisms, particularly patients' expectations. Optimizing expectations could minimize side effect burden. This study evaluated whether brief psychological expectation management training (EXPECT) optimizes medication-related expectations in women starting adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) for breast cancer.Method
In a multisite randomized controlled design, 197 women were randomized to EXPECT, supportive therapy (SUPPORT), or treatment as usual (TAU). The three-session cognitive-behavioral EXPECT employs psychoeducation, guided imagery, and side effect management training. Outcomes were necessity-concern beliefs about AET, expected side effects, expected coping ability, treatment control expectations, and adherence intention.Results
Both interventions were well accepted and feasible. Patients' necessity-concern beliefs were optimized in EXPECT compared to both TAU and SUPPORT, d = .41, p < .001; d = .40, p < .001. Expected coping ability and treatment control expectations were optimized compared to TAU, d = .35, p = .02; d = .42, p < 001, but not to SUPPORT. Adherence intention was optimized compared to SUPPORT, d = .29, p = .02, but not to TAU. Expected side effects did not change significantly.Conclusion
Expectation management effectively and partly specifically (compared to SUPPORT) modified medication-related expectations in women starting AET. Given the influence of expectations on long-term treatment outcome, psychological interventions like EXPECT might provide potential pathways to reduce side effect burden and improve quality of life during medication intake.
SUBMITTER: Shedden-Mora MC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9645481 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Shedden-Mora Meike C MC Pan Yiqi Y Heisig Sarah R SR von Blanckenburg Pia P Rief Winfried W Witzel Isabell I Albert Ute-Susann US Nestoriuc Yvonne Y
Clinical psychology in Europe 20200331 1
<h4>Background</h4>Medication side effects are strongly determined by non-pharmacological, nocebo mechanisms, particularly patients' expectations. Optimizing expectations could minimize side effect burden. This study evaluated whether brief psychological expectation management training (EXPECT) optimizes medication-related expectations in women starting adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) for breast cancer.<h4>Method</h4>In a multisite randomized controlled design, 197 women were randomized to EXPE ...[more]