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Table 2 Content and methodological strategies of the interventions

From: Cognitive behavioral therapy for reducing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among breast cancer survivors: a systematic review of the literature

Author, Country

CBT Intervention Type

Intervention Format

Delivery Mode

Number of Sessions

Session Length

Duration (Weeks)

Interventionist

Study Design

Comparable Group(s)

Randomization (Selection Bias)

External Validity

Herschbach et al. [23], Germany

CBT

Group

Face-to-face

4

1.5 hours

4

Psychotherapists

A two-site, longitudinal controlled design

1) Supportive-experiential group therapy, 2) Control group

Random assignment to one of two interventions, but not for the control group

Two rehabilitation clinics in Southern Germany

van de Wal et al. [24], The Netherlands

Blended CBT

Individual

Face-to-face + Online

8

(5individual+ 3 online)

1 hour + 15 minutes

12

Two psychologists

A parallel-group, prospective randomized controlled trial

Care as usual

Random assignment

Five hospitals in the Netherlands

Butow et al. [26], Australia

Meta-cognitive therapy, Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model, and Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Individual

Face-to-face

5

1 to 1.5 hours

10

Psychologists or psychiatrists

A randomized controlled trial

A nonspecific attention control

(Taking-it-Easy: a relaxation training program)

Random assignment

Multiple centers in different areas in Australia

Lengacher et al. [27], USA

MBSR

Group

Face-to-face

6

2 hours

6

Psychologist

A randomized controlled trial

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Bower et al. [37], USA

Mindful awareness practices (MAPS)

Group

Face-to-face

6

2 hours

6

No information

A single-center, two-armed RCT

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Johns et al. [38], USA

ACT

Group

Face-to-face

6

2 hours

6

Doctoral-level therapist

A randomized controlled pilot trial

1) Survivor education, 2) Enhanced usual care

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Dodds et al. [39], USA

Cognitively based compassion training (CBCT)

Group

Face-to-face

8

2 hours

8

Social work researcher

A randomized wait list-controlled trial design

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Gonzalez-Hernandez et al. [40], Spain

CBCT

Group

Face-to-face

8

2 hours

8

Psychologist

A randomized controlled trial

Treatment-as-usual control

Random assignment

Conduced in Spain

Lengacher et al. [41], USA

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR(BC))

Group

Face-to-face

6

2 hours

6

Psychologist

A randomized controlled trial

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Park et al. [42], Japan

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

Group

Face-to-face

8

2 hours

8

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and nurses

A randomized controlled trial

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Conducted in Japan

Lichtenthal et al. [43], USA

Attention and Interpretation Modification for Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Group

Face-to-face

8

30 minutes

4

No information

A parallel-group randomized trial

Control condition

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

Tomei et al. [44], Canada

Cognitive-existential psychotherapy (CEP)

Individual

Face-to-face

6

2 hours

6

Psychology doctoral students

A pilot randomized controlled trial

Waitlisted control

Random assignment

Mostly non-Hispanic Whites

van Helmondt et al. [45], The Netherlands

CBT-based online self-help training

Individual

Online

6

no information

12

No information

A randomized controlled trial

Care as usual (psychological or other support)

Random assignment

Eight hospitals in the Netherlands

Heinrichs et al. [46], Germany

Couples-based skills intervention (side by side)

Couple

Face-to-face

4

2 hours

8

Psychologists

A two-site, balanced randomized, controlled, parallel-group design

Control program

Random assignment

Three regional hospitals in Germany

Shields et al. [47], USA

Coaching intervention (prompt plus telephone counseling)

Individual

Telephone

1

20 to 45 minutes

1

Nurse

A randomized pilot trial

Usual care

Random assignment

Small and homogeneous sample

Germino et al. [48], USA

Cognitive and behavioral strategies

Individual

Telephone

4

20 minutes

4~6 months

Nurses

A 2 x 2 randomized block, repeated-measures design

Attention control

Random assignment

non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans

Merckaert et al. [49], Belgium

Cognitive behavioral techniques and hypnosis

Group

Face-to-face

15

2 hours

15

Psychologists

A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Enhanced standard care

Random assignment

Multiple centers in Belgium