Meaning centered psychotherapy vs cognitive behavioral therapy for cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) has been found to be effective in improving meaning in life and increasing fulfillment in participants with cancer. However, to date, no previous studies have compared MCP with evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The aim of this study was to analyze the differential efficacy of MCP, compared to CBT, in participants with cancer. The study is a randomized controlled trial with 76 participants, n = 41 (MCP) and n = 35 (CBT). At posttreatment, the MCP intervention for cancer survivors was more effective than CBT in increasing the presence of meaning in life, purpose and meaning in life, and life goals. Moreover, our results showed that, at posttreatment and the 6-month follow-up, MCP and CBT were similarly effective in improving depression and developing posttraumatic growth. This study suggests that MCP could be more effective than CBT in improving meaning in life, purpose, and life goals, and equally effective as CBT in improving depression and posttraumatic growth, in cancer survivors.