PURPOSE: Previous research focusing on one-time screening rather than repeat adherence, have largely pointed out that anxiety levels and pain expectation are the most common factors which may act as a barrier to mammography. These studies also show that anxiety pain and depression are very often associated with the experience of mammography. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a supportive psychological intervention can be effective in reducing these feelings in patients undergoing follow-up mammography MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 60 women who had already received a diagnosis of breast cancer. In order to detect the variables of depression, anxiety and pain before and after mammography the following questionnaires were administered to the patients: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that our psychological intervention significantly lowered the levels of state anxiety and pain but it had no effect on depression. A psychological approach giving patients both emotional and informational support about the examination, may significantly reduce state anxiety levels and the pain felt during mammography.
PURPOSE: Previous research focusing on one-time screening rather than repeat adherence, have largely pointed out that anxiety levels and pain expectation are the most common factors which may act as a barrier to mammography. These studies also show that anxiety pain and depression are very often associated with the experience of mammography. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a supportive psychological intervention can be effective in reducing these feelings in patients undergoing follow-up mammography MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 60 women who had already received a diagnosis of breast cancer. In order to detect the variables of depression, anxiety and pain before and after mammography the following questionnaires were administered to the patients: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that our psychological intervention significantly lowered the levels of state anxiety and pain but it had no effect on depression. A psychological approach giving patients both emotional and informational support about the examination, may significantly reduce state anxiety levels and the pain felt during mammography.
Authors: Elvira V Lang; Kevin S Berbaum; Salomao Faintuch; Olga Hatsiopoulou; Noami Halsey; Xinyu Li; Michael L Berbaum; Eleanor Laser; Janet Baum Journal: Pain Date: 2006-09-07 Impact factor: 6.961