Building coping skills to relieve distress and physical symptoms: Findings from a quality improvement project of a five-week group psychoeducational program for cancer patients.

To examine the effectiveness of Mind Over Matter (MOM), a group psychosocial intervention based on CBT, ACT, and mind-body interventions, from data collected during a quality improvement project. MOM was offered in person prior to COVID-19 and via telehealth after COVID-19 began.

Distress, as measured by anxiety, depression, the severity of physical symptoms and the impact of physical symptoms on daily functioning, was measured pre- and post-MOM.

The sample included 46 participants with an experience of cancer ranging in age from 31 to 75.

Overall, there were significant differences in anxiety, depression, and physical symptom severity and interference pre and post MOM. The in-person intervention showed significant differences in anxiety, depression, and physical symptom interference. There were significant differences in anxiety and physical symptom severity reported in the telehealth groups.

MOM may be an effective psychosocial intervention for addressing cancer-related physical and emotional challenges making it a valuable resource for institutions trying to meet needs identified by distress screenings.