EFFECTS OF A POSITIVE EMOTION-BASED ADJUVANT PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY IN COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS

EFFECTS OF A POSITIVE EMOTION-BASED
ADJUVANT PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY IN
COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS
ANDRÉ CARDOSO LOURO
Barcelona, 2015

UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA
FACULTAT DE PSICOLOGIA
DEPARTAMENT DE PSICOLOGIA BÀSICA, EVOLUTIVA I DE
L’EDUCACIÓ
Doctorat en Psicologia de la Salut i Psicologia de l’Esport
TESIS DOCTORAL
EFFECTS OF A POSITIVE EMOTION-BASED
ADJUVANT PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY IN
COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS
ANDRÉ CARDOSO LOURO
Directores:
Tomás Blasco Blasco Jordi Fernández Castro
Bellaterra, Junio 2015

“For an idea that does not first seen insane, there is no hope.”
Albert Einstein

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a Psychological
Intervention based on the positive psychology and the cognitive behavioral therapy in
relieving “psychological problems” at the time of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment (Folfox
Protocol) in patients with colorectal cancer. This Psychological Intervention is structured and
designed to enhance positive emotions in these patients and will be called “Enhancing
Positive Emotions Procedure” (EPEP). The design of this study was of two groups with pre-
post-test and follow-up comparisons. All participants were recruited between October of 2012
and February of 2014. 52 subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer were recruited at the
Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Oporto, Portugal. Results of this research suggest that some
features could be modified by the EPEP procedure, whereas some others would remain
unchanged. Some dimensions of quality of life, as well as anxiety and positive emotions could
be slightly improved by the EPEP Thus, coping skills and depression would not be affected
by the EPEP. Thus, it can be stated, with caution, that EPEP should be useful to improve
well-being in CRC patients receiving chemotherapy.

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DEDICATION
This paper is dedicated to the thousands of patients with cancer, survivors and in the
memory of the souls had departed. In particular, this paper is in honor of all the patients of
the Portuguese Institute of Oncology Center, Oporto, Portugal who participated in this study.
This thesis is dedicated to very special people in my life: first, my parents, Agostinho
and Maria de Lurdes, my brother, Hugo. All of you did your best to support my educational
endeavors throughout my life. Your love, encouragement and sacrifices gave me the energy
and courage to go persevere.