Patients who underwent breast cancer therapy and who participated in group therapy lived no longer than those who did not participate in it, according to researchers.

The study, led by Dr. David Spiegel of the University of California, refuted his result from 1989, which showed a better survival of patients undergoing psychotherapy in the group.

According to him, the result of the study, in which 125 women participated, quite surprised him.

However, despite the fact that the therapy did not prolong the life of patients, it significantly improved the quality of life and reduced the tension and level of depression.

The group met weekly and discussed many of the issues that worried the participants.

The main issues were the fear of death, the role of social support and the desire to emotionally express their fears.

According to the participants, as well as the results of psychological testing, the group that met during such meetings suffered significantly lower levels of depression, fears and tensions.

Thus, despite the inefficiency of therapy as a whole, it is an essential additional factor to the main treatment.

Medicinform. Net.

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