Levesque, M., Savard, J., Simard, S., Gauthier, J.G., & Ivers, H. (2004). Efficacy of cognitive therapy for depression among women with metastatic cancer: A single-case experimental study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 35, 287–305.

DOI Link

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

  • Cognitive therapy
    • Baseline phase no intervention
    • Weeks 3–8, patients completed daily mood diary
    • Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) weekly
    • Once eight weekly sessions of cognitive therapy were completed, daily mood diary and HADs weekly

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 6 (3 completed)
  • AGE = 42–66 years
  • FEMALES: 100%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Stage IV metastatic breast cancer
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score of 17 or more or HADS score of 7 or more; at end of life but with more than two months expected to live

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: End of life

Study Design

  • Single-case experimental design to show efficacy or no efficacy of cognitive therapy for depression in women with metastatic cancer

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Fatigue is associated with depression, but which scale was used is not spelled out.

Results

A statistically significant improvement in fatigue level was seen.

Limitations

  • Study not representative
  • Excessive withdrawals
  • A lot of written scales to give someone to complete at end of life
  • Resident in psychiatry was independent psych evaluator; licensed therapists to conduct intervention