Group cognitive-behavioral therapy on depressive-anxious symptoms and nasal temperature in women with breast cancer: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effect of a group cognitive-behavioral intervention on anxiety-depressive symptoms and autonomic affective functioning in women with breast cancer. Method. Pre-experimental study with a sample of 17 Mexican women with a moderate-severe depression level and a diagnosis of breast cancer. The assessment instruments were the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale; in addition to an evaluation of autonomic affective functioning through intra-session recording of nasal peripheral temperature. Results. A reduction in symptoms of depression (t=6.509, (12); p<0.001, anxiety (Z=-2.697; p=0.007) and an increase in temperature (Z=-2.669: p=0.008) were observed at the end of treatment that was maintained for six months (t=-3.752, (15); p=0.002). Conclusion. Group cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing anxiety-depressive symptomatology and thermal psychophysiological regulation in the group of women with breast cancer.