A couple‐based intervention for female breast cancer

Abstract

In this pilot study, the couple-based intervention, RE, has shown promise in improving individual, medical, and relationship functioning for couples in which the woman is facing breast cancer, and therefore merits further investigation on a larger scale.

Exploring the effectiveness of couples interventions for adults living with a chronic physical illness: A systematic review

“…Conversely, interventions targeting self-managed chronic illnesses such as arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and chronic pain, had a limited focus on interpersonal issues. Some interventions however, did incorporate elements of CBST and RC, which produced moderate to strong effects across a range of somatic, cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal outcomes [43,60,54]. Using this combined approach may therefore be a feasible method of addressing a range of outcomes.…”

“…Interventions were grouped into two categories according to their main therapeutic approach: 'Cognitive Behavioural Skills Training' (CBST) (n=25), which focuses on illness cognitions, education, goal setting, and coping strategies such as problem solving and symptom management; and 'Relationship Counselling' (RC) (n=10), which addresses relationship difficulties such as sexual intimacy, partner supportiveness, and communication [38,51,45,52,53,54,55,56,57,58]. There was no noticeable effect of mode of delivery (faceto-face, telephone, online) on illness type or outcomes.…”

“…In comparison with a patient-only/ control group, CBST interventions enhanced behaviours such as dyadic coping [43], medication adherence [65], and increased dietary self-efficacy and spousal support [59]. An exception to this was a RC focused intervention which incorporated planning and decision-making skills, and homework tasks, which increased self-acceptance, reduced fatigue, and improved functional wellbeing [54]. Partners' also benefited from CBST across cognitive outcomes including partner-rated patient self-efficacy [49], self-efficacy for supporting patients to manage pain/ other symptoms, lower caregiver stress [66], less negative caregiver appraisals, uncertainty, and greater personal self-efficacy [61].…”

“…When compared with a patient-only or control group, interventions based on RC were most effective at addressing interpersonal issues including relationship satisfaction [52,54], perceived partner acceptance of self-image [54], communication quality [56], marital functioning [57], and dyadic adjustment [58]. Intimacy [53] and sexual communication and distress [58] were more effectively targeted by RC.…”

“…Such interventions improved sexual self-schemas, sexual intimacy [43], and relationship quality [60]. RC also effectively targeted interpersonal/ intimacy outcomes in partners including relationship satisfaction [54], dyadic adjustment [58], sexual distress, sexual communication [58], and sexual function [38,58].…”