No improvement in distress and quality of life following psychosocial cancer rehabilitation. A randomised trial

Objective: Rehabilitation programmes are intended to help cancer patients achieve optimal functioning and live independently. We evaluated whether a psychosocial rehabilitation course was effective in relieving cancer patients' distress and improving their well‐being. Methods: Patients with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer diagnosed within 2 years who had finished primary treatment were randomised to usual care or a 6‐day residential course of lectures, discussions and peer groups on issues related to treatment and living with cancer. Changes in self‐reported distress (POMS‐Sf) and quality of life (EORTC QLQ‐C30) from baseline to 1 and 6 months' follow‐up were measured. Analyses were adjusted for baseline scores of outcome, cancer site, time since diagnosis, gender, age and education. Results: Of 507 patients, 452 were included in the analyses, 404 completed the 1‐month and 394 the 6‐month assessment. Patients in the control group showed greater decreases in total mood disturbance and subscales of the POMS‐Sf and showed more improvement in emotional, cognitive and social functioning at both 1 and 6 months and in role functioning at 6 months than the intervention group. A similar pattern was observed in analyses of breast cancer patients only. Conclusion: A 6‐day residential rehabilitation course did not relieve cancer patients' distress or improve their well‐being. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.