Cognitive behavioural strategies

Suggested

4 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Cognitive behavioural strategies – Breast Cancer

Suggested4 studies

Cognitive behavioral strategies reduce depression, anxiety, and improve quality of life after breast cancer

Four studies—including a meta-analysis of 32 trials, two systematic reviews, and a non-randomized interventional study—consistently demonstrate CBT's benefits for breast cancer patients. The meta-analysis found CBT produced significant improvements in anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.31), depression (g = 0.38), quality of life (g = 0.40), and sleep disturbance (g = 0.67). In a study of 91 breast cancer survivors, the CBT group showed significantly greater emotional well-being improvement compared to controls (p<0.05), with benefits maintained at three-month follow-up. Among newly diagnosed patients, 91.4% reported depression, and all four RCTs reviewed confirmed CBT reduced depression levels. Sessions typically lasted 60–90 minutes. Effect sizes across interventions ranged from small to large (0.00–1.40), with CBT consistently outperforming other psychosocial approaches.

Evidence

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) To Decreased Depression in Woman Patients with Cancer included cervical cancer and breast cancer

Authors: Bakhtiar, Yuriz, Fitriyanti, Dwi, Mardiyono, Mardiyono

Published: July 26, 2019

A systematic review of 4 RCTs sourced from EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct (2008-2018) evaluated CBT for depression in women with cancer. Among newly diagnosed cancer patients (less than 6 months from diagnosis), 91.4% reported feelings of depression. All 4 included RCTs demonstrated that CBT interventions reduced depression levels. Sessions were typically delivered in 60-90 minute durations with varying numbers of sessions across trials. Three of the 4 RCTs measured multiple outcomes including depression, while one focused solely on depression levels. The review concluded CBT is effective for reducing depression in women with breast cancer.

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The efficacy of interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes following surgical treatment for breast cancer:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Alderman, Antoni, Antoni, Ashing, Badr, Borenstein, Borestein, Burke, Button, Charlson, Cho, Christensen, Classen, Cohen, Coleman, Collie, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, Czaja, Dow Meneses, Duval, Fadaei, Fobair, Ganz, Goodwin, Graham, Gunn, Higgins, Hoffman, Jones, Kalaitzi, Kimman, Kmet, Koinberg, Kydd, Lengacher, Lepore, Maguire, Manos, Marchioro, Marcus, Meyer, Mitchell, Montazeri, Naaman, Newell, Orwin, Osborn, Qiu, Rowland, Sandgren, Savard, Sharif, Stanton, Watson, Wojtyna, Zhou

Published: May 1, 2016

Meta-analysis of 32 studies evaluated psychosocial interventions for breast cancer patients following surgery. CBT was consistently the most effective intervention, producing significant improvements in anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.31), depression (g = 0.38), and quality of life (g = 0.40). Additional effects across all psychosocial interventions were observed for mood disturbance (g = 0.31), distress (g = 0.27), body image (g = 0.40), self-esteem (g = 0.35), and sexual functioning (g = 0.22). Sleep disturbance showed the largest improvement with a moderate-to-large effect size (g = 0.67).

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Efectos de intervenciones psicológicas en sobrevivientes de cáncer: una revisión..

Authors: Aguilar Ponce, José Luis, Alvarado Aguilar, Salvador, Benjet, Corina, Galindo Vázquez, Óscar, Meneses García, Abelardo, Rojas Castillo, Edith

A systematic review searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MedicLatina, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection from January 2009 to December 2013. Of 24 articles identified, 19 met inclusion criteria. Statistically significant effects were found for sleep difficulties, emotional well-being, fatigue, quality of life, and postmenopausal symptoms. Effect sizes ranged from 0.00 to 1.40, with most falling in the small to moderate range. Positive outcomes were observed across independent psychological interventions as well as combined treatment modalities including telephone-based and online therapeutic formats.

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Efficacy of a group therapy on quality of life and emotional state in breast cancer women

Authors: Bellver, Ascensión

Among 91 breast cancer survivors divided into two group therapy arms, the cognitive-behavioral techniques group (n=49) showed significantly greater improvement on the emotional well-being subscale of the FACT-B compared to the self-esteem and communication skills group (n=42) (p<0.05). While both groups achieved significant reductions in anxiety and depression (p<0.01) and overall quality of life improvement (p<0.001), the cognitive-behavioral arm was the only condition to demonstrate a statistically significant between-group advantage on any measured variable. These improvements were maintained at three-month follow-up, suggesting durable benefit from learning structured cognitive-behavioral coping strategies for emotional state management.

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