The effects of coaching in breast cancer support groups: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a large-scale study testing how cancer support groups (CSGs) with coaching affect adaptation to newly diagnosed, early-stage breast cancer. The investigators randomly assigned subjects (n = 64) to one of three treatment groups: a CSG with coaching, a CSG without coaching, or no CSG. Results of the pilot study indicated that the study intervention and methods of sample accrual and instrumentation were appropriate. Currently, a large-scale, randomized, controlled clinical trial is being conducted.