Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy With an Integrated Package of Gestalt Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral Therapy on the Self-efficacy of Women With Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, as the most common prevalent cancer in Iran, is associated with severe psychological consequences. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an integrated package of Gestalt Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GT-CBT) on the self-efficacy of women with breast cancer.

This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design and a control group. Sixty patients with breast cancer referred to the Cancer Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, were recruited through a convenience sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the control (n=20), CBT (n=20), and GT-CBT (n=20) groups. The study data were collected by the Sherer self-efficacy scale and analyzed using descriptive (Mean±SD) and inferential statistics (analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]) in SPSS software, v. 20.

The results indicated that both CBT and GT-CBT have significantly increased the subjects’ self-efficacy (Eta=0.73, F51, 2=70.60, P<0.001). Post hoc test indicated that GT-CBT is more effective than CBT (P<0.05).

The effectiveness of GT-CBT on the subjects’ self-efficacy was higher than CBT. Therefore, it is suggested to use integrated methods such as GT-CBT to enhance the self-efficacy of patients with breast cancer.