A Retrospective Case–Control Study Evaluating Effects of Beck’s Cognitive Therapy on Anxiety in Patients after Breast Reconstruction

Objective: To explore the effects of Beck’s cognitive therapy on the anxiety of patients after breast reconstruction.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 150 patients with breast cancer undergoing breast reconstruction from June 2020 to June 2021 in our hospital, excluded 5 patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria, divided the remaining cases into an experimental group (EG, n=70, perioperative routine management+Beck’s cognitive therapy intervention) and a reference group (RG, n=75, perioperative routine management) in accordance with different perioperative intervention programs, and compared the emotions of anxiety and depression, sense of social disability, and prognosis quality in both groups.

Results: At 2 months after surgery (T2) and 3 months after surgery (T3), EG had overtly lower Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores than RG (P < .05), with no difference in HAMA and BDI scores at 3 days before surgery (T0) and 1 month after surgery (T1) (P > .05). At the T0 stage, both groups were diagnosed as having a social disability, with no overt difference (P > .05). At T1 stage, The Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) scores in both groups increased remarkably and fell back at the T2 and T3 stages. At T1-T2 stages, SDSS scores of EG were significantly different from those of RG (P < .05), with no significant difference at T3 stage (P > .05). The excellent rate of prognosis in EG was 78.57% (55/70), higher than 77.33% (58/75) in RG, with no statistical difference in both groups (P < .05).

Conclusion: The implementation of Beck’s cognitive therapy in patients with breast reconstruction effectively improves adverse emotions in patients, which is of great significance for promoting postoperative rehabilitation and is an effective intervention program in the perioperative period.

Cite this article as: Li Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhao L, Gan J. A retrospective case–control study evaluating effects of Beck’s cognitive therapy on anxiety in patients after breast reconstruction. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25(1):40-46.