The effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on depressed cervical cancer patients

Cognitive behaviour therapy is geared towards the identification, evaluation, and modification of situation thoughts (i.e., automatic thoughts) that patients experience after diagnosis of cancer. The present study is to assess the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on depressed cervical cancer patients. Sample of 80 cervical cancer patients from various hospitals in Chennai are selected. All eligible patients completed the consent form, demographic sheet, and Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D). Based on the assessment and degree of problem the clients are classified as mild, moderate and severe group. Individuals with severe and moderate degree of depression were selected. The cognitive behaviour therapy sessions extended for 45 minutes, and were held thrice in a week, and continuous follow up for 3 months. The present study is a pre-post test design before and after intervention programme. Data were analysed by using t-test. Results revealed that there is significant difference in depression level between pre-test and post-test. The study concluded that after the applications of cognitive behaviour therapy to the patients level of depression has been minimised.