Eficacia de los tratamientos psicológicos para el miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer de mama / Efficacy of psychological treatments for fear of breast cancer recurrence

Introducción: El miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer es una de las consecuencias más frecuentes en los supervivientes del cáncer. El cáncer de mama fue el tipo de cáncer más diagnosticado en el 2020 en todo el mundo, aunque se ha evidenciado una baja tasa de mortalidad de este tipo de cáncer en España, lo que favorece una mayor prevalencia de miedo a la recurrencia en el cáncer de mama. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática sobre las intervenciones utilizadas para reducir el miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer en supervivientes de cáncer de mama. Metodología: Se realizó la búsqueda en las bases de datos SCOPUS, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE y E-Journals, limitando los resultados a los estudios controlados aleatorizados de los últimos siete años. Resultados: Se incluyeron finalmente 18 estudios. Las intervenciones que se centran en los sesgos atencionales y en las preocupaciones y las rumiaciones resultaron ser las más eficaces. Se discuten los resultados en base al modelo de Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer desarrollado por Lee-Jones et al. (1997) y se proponen futuras líneas de investigación. Conclusiones: Existen varias intervenciones eficaces sobre el miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer, destacando el programa ConquerFear por sus resultados y su bajo coste (AU)

Introduction: Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most frequent consequences in cancer survivors. Breast cancer was the most diagnosed type of cancer in 2020 worldwide, although a low mortality rate of this type of cancer has been evidenced in Spain, which favors a higher prevalence of fear of recurrence in breast cancer. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the interventions used to reduce the fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors. Methodology: We searched the SCOPUS, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, and E-Journals databases, limiting the results to randomized controlled studies from the last seven years. Results: Eighteen studies were finally included. Interventions targeting attentional biases and worries, and ruminations were found to be the most effective. Results are discussed based on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence model developed by Lee-Jones et al. (1997) and future lines of research are proposed. Conclusions: There are several effective interventions on fear of cancer recurrence, with the ConquerFear program standing out for its results and low cost (AU)

Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: a randomized single-case experimental design.

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the greatest problems with which cancer survivors have to deal. High levels of FCR are characterized by intrusive thoughts about cancer-related events and re-experiencing these events, avoidance of reminders of cancer, and hypervigilance, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focuses on these images and memories. It is effective in reducing PTSD and may be effective in reducing high levels of FCR.Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR for severe FCR in breast and colorectal cancer survivors.Method: A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (n = 8) was used. Daily repeated measurements for FCR were taken during the baseline phase and treatment phase, post-treatment, and at the 3 month follow-up. Participants answered the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, Dutch version (FCRI-NL) five times, i.e. at the start and at the end of each phase (baseline, treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up). The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NL8223).Results: Visual analysis and effect size calculation by Tau-U were executed for the daily questionnaire on FCR. The weighted average Tau-U score was .63 (p < .01) for baseline versus post-treatment, indicating large change, and .53 (p < .01) between baseline and follow-up, indicating moderate change. The scores on the CWS and FCRI-NL-SF decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up.Conclusion: The results seem promising for EMDR therapy as a potentially effective treatment for FCR. Further research is recommended.

Patients who experience high fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) often have intrusive memories and images about (future) cancer-related events.Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can focus on these intrusions.EMDR therapy is found to be a promising therapy for patients experiencing high FCR.

Evaluación del Miedo a la Recurrencia del cáncer en español: el Cuestionario de Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer y Escala General del Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer: un estudio piloto / Assessment of fear of cancer recurrence in Spanish: Fear of Recurrence Questionnaire and he General Scale of Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A pilot study

El objetivo de este estudio es la elaboración de un cuestionario de evaluación del miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer en español. Método: se presenta un estudio piloto de diseño correlacional trasversal elaborado en dos fases: 1) creación del cuestionario del miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer (CMRC) y de la Escala General del Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer (EGMRC); 2) evaluación de sus propiedades psicométricas. Resultados: para la elaboración de los cuestionarios se utilizó el acuerdo entre expertos medido por la V de Aiken. El CMRC queda finalmente configurado con 8 ítems que se responden con una escala tipo Likert de 0-4 y un Alfa de Cronbach de 0,85. La EGMRC de una sola pregunta que se responde con una escala de 0-100 correlaciona hasta un 0,84 con el CMRC. Se utilizó una muestra de 50 mujeres supervivientes de cáncer ginecológico seleccionadas en el Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos de Madrid. Ambas escalas correlacionan con el nivel de ansiedad de las pacientes y la función emocional de calidad de vida. No se hallan correlaciones con los niveles de depresión. Conclusiones: El CMRC y la EGMRC son dos instrumentos que pueden ser válidos para la evaluación del miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer en pacientes supervivientes de cáncer ginecológico (AU)

The objective of this study is the elaboration of a questionnaire for the evaluation of the fear of recurrence of cancer in Spanish. Method: A pilot study with a cross-sectional correlational design is presented, elaborated in two phases: 1) creation of the Fear Cancer recurrence Questionnaire (CMRC) and the General Scale of Fear of Cancer Recurrence (EGMRC); 2) evaluation of their psychometric properties. Results: for the elaboration of the questionnaires, the agreement between experts was used, measured by Aiken’s V. The CMRC questionnaire is finally configured with 8 items that are answered with a Likert-type scale of 0-4 and a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.851. The EGMRC consists of a single question that is answered with a scale of 0-100 correlates up to 0.84 with the CMRC. A sample of 50 female survivors of gynecological cancer selected from the Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos in Madrid was used. Both scales correlate with the level of anxiety of the patients and the emotional function of quality of life. No correlations with levels of depression were found. Conclusions: The CMRC and the EGMRC are two instruments that may be valid for the evaluation of FCR in Spanish for survivors of gynecological cancer (AU)

Fear of cancer recurrence in informal caregivers of childhood cancer survivors / Miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer en cuidadores de supervivientes de cáncer infantil

Abstract Background Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most distressing psychological consequences in cancer survivors and their informal primary caregivers (IPC). IPC of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are often their mothers, which could intensify fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its impact on both IPC and CCS. However, the phenomenon has not been widely described in this specific population. Objective To summarize and analyze current evidence on the evaluation and management of FCR among IPC of CCS. Method A narrative review of studies included in four databases (PsycInfo, Medline, CINALH, and Web of Science) with no language or year of publication restrictions. Results Measures specifically developed to assess FCR among IPC of CCS comprising an interview and a questionnaire with initial psychometric evaluations and two short, online intervention programs based on cognitive-behavioral-contextual therapy were identified (ENGAGE and CASCAdE). Both have demonstrated acceptability in parents of CCS in high-income countries; preliminary evidence also exists of the effectivity of CASCAdE in reducing FCR. Discussion and conclusion Given the limitations of this area of psychological evaluation, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, originally developed for adult cancer survivors, constitutes the most suitable tool for evaluating FCR among IPC of CCS. The CASCAdE program seems a promising intervention for IPC of CSS, although cultural adaptations, evaluations of its acceptability in low- and middle-income countries, and controlled studies in large samples are still required.

Resumen Antecedentes El miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer es una de las consecuencias psicológicas más angustiantes en los supervivientes y sus cuidadores primarios informales (CPI). Los CPI de supervivientes de cáncer infantil (SCI) a menudo son sus madres, lo que podría intensificar el miedo a la recurrencia (MR) y su impacto tanto a los CPI como a los SCI. Sin embargo, el fenómeno no se ha descrito ampliamente en esta población específica. Objetivo Resumir y analizar la evidencia actual sobre la evaluación y manejo del MR entre CPI de SCI. Método Se realizó una revisión narrativa de los estudios incluidos en cuatro bases de datos (PsycInfo, Medline, CINALH y Web of Science) sin restricciones de idioma o año de publicación. Resultados Se identificaron instrumentos desarrollados específicamente para evaluar MR entre CPI de SCI que comprenden una entrevista y un cuestionario, además de dos programas de intervención en línea basados en terapia cognitivo-conductual-contextual (ENAGE y CASCAdE). Ambos demostraron aceptabilidad en los padres de SCI en países de ingresos altos. También existe evidencia preliminar de la efectividad de CASCAdE en la disminución del MR. Discusión y conclusión Dadas las limitaciones de esta área de evaluación psicológica, el Inventario del Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer, desarrollado originalmente para supervivientes adultos, constituye la herramienta más adecuada para evaluar MR en los CPI de SCI. El programa CASCAdE parece una intervención prometedora para CPI de SCI, aunque aún requiere adaptaciones culturales, evaluaciones de aceptabilidad en países de ingresos medio-bajos y estudios controlados con nuestras más grandes.