Dataset Information

Randomized Trial of a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Web and mobile technologies appear to hold promise for delivering evidence-informed and evidence-based intervention to cancer survivors and others living with trauma and other psychological concerns. Health-space.net was developed as a comprehensive online social networking and coping skills training program for cancer survivors living with distress.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week social networking intervention on distress, depression, anxiety, vigor, and fatigue in cancer survivors reporting high levels of cancer-related distress.

Methods

We recruited 347 participants from a local cancer registry and internet, and all were randomized to either a 12-week waiting list control group or to immediate access to the intervention. Intervention participants received secure access to the study website, which provided extensive social networking capabilities and coping skills training exercises facilitated by a professional facilitator.

Results

Across time, the prevalence of clinically significant depression symptoms declined from 67 to 34 % in both conditions. The health-space.net intervention had greater declines in fatigue than the waitlist control group, but the intervention did not improve outcomes for depression, trauma-related anxiety symptoms, or overall mood disturbance. For those with more severe levels of anxiety at baseline, greater engagement with the intervention was associated with higher levels of symptom reduction over time.

Conclusions

The intervention resulted in small but significant effects on fatigue but not other primary or secondary outcomes. Results suggest that this social networking intervention may be most effective for those who have distress that is not associated with high levels of anxiety symptoms or very poor overall psychological functioning.

Trial registration number

The trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov database ( ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01976949).

SUBMITTER: Owen JE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5572555 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Randomized Trial of a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress.

Owen Jason E JE O'Carroll Bantum Erin E Pagano Ian S IS Stanton Annette A

Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine 20171001 5

<h4>Background</h4>Web and mobile technologies appear to hold promise for delivering evidence-informed and evidence-based intervention to cancer survivors and others living with trauma and other psychological concerns. Health-space.net was developed as a comprehensive online social networking and coping skills training program for cancer survivors living with distress.<h4>Purpose</h4>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week social networking intervention on distress, de ...[more]

PMID: 28244002

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Project description:BackgroundThreatened fertility following cancer diagnosis in the reproductive age may severely impact emotional and psychosocial well-being in survivorship. Effective web-based interventions for fertility-related distress have been lacking.ObjectiveThis study aims to test whether the Fertility and Sexuality following Cancer (Fex-Can) intervention is superior to standard care in reducing fertility-related distress and related psychosocial outcomes in young adults with cancer.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial evaluated a 12-week, web-based, automated self-help intervention for fertility-related distress following cancer-Fex-Can Fertility. Individuals were identified via Swedish national quality registries, and those reporting fertility-related distress 1.5 years after diagnosis were invited. A total of 100 women and 24 men (aged 19-40 years) answered self-administered surveys at baseline (T0), directly after the intervention (T1), and 3 months later (T2). The main outcome was fertility-related distress, which was measured by using the 6-dimension Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale. The secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), emotional distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fertility-related knowledge, and fertility self-efficacy. In addition, the intervention group (IG) reported self-perceived changes in problems related to fertility after cancer (T1). 2-tailed t tests and linear mixed models, including intention-to-treat and subgroup analyses, were performed to compare the effects of the intervention with those of standard care.ResultsAlthough 62% (31/50) of the participants in the IG stated that their concerns about fertility were fewer after the intervention, there were few statistically significant group differences in the main outcome (RCAC) at T1 and T2. Compared with controls, the IG rated lower distress concerning the dimension child's health at T2 (P=.003; effect size [ES]=0.64). This difference was maintained when adding group and time interactions (intention-to-treat: P=.003; ES=0.58). The IG also had better self-perceived cancer-related fertility knowledge at T1 (P=.05; ES=0.35) and T2 (P=.01; ES=0.42) than the control group. Subgroup analyses based on dose or adherence and baseline RCAC scores did not substantially alter these results. Overall, the use of the web-based program was low.ConclusionsThe Fex-Can intervention had small to moderate positive effects on cancer-related fertility knowledge and distress related to child's health. The lack of group differences in other dimensions of fertility distress and related secondary outcomes contrasted with reports on self-perceived improvement after the intervention. The Fex-Can Fertility program may be a useful complement to routine psychosocial support in the clinical care of young women and men with cancer.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry 36621459; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN36621459.

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Dataset Information

Randomized Trial of a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress.

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration number

Publications

Randomized Trial of a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress.

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