Decreasing menopausal symptoms of Asian American breast cancer survivors through a technology-based information and coaching/support program

Abstract

Objective: One of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms following breast cancer treatment is menopausal symptoms. Asian American breast cancer survivors have lower quality of life and often receive inadequate management of menopausal symptoms compared to other racial/ ethnic groups. Technology-based programs could be a solution to fill the gap in care. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a technology-based information and coaching/support program on menopausal symptoms of Asian American breast cancer survivors.Methods: This study adopted a randomized pretest/posttest group design among 91 Asian American breast cancer survivors (42 in an intervention group who used the program and the American Cancer Society [ACS] website and 49 in a control group who used only the ACS website). The intervention was a theory-driven and culturally tailored intervention program that aimed to provide information and coaching/support using computers and mobile devices. Multiple instruments were used to measure background characteristics and menopausal symptoms at pretest, post 1-month, and post 3-months. An intent-to-treat linear mixed-model growth curve analysis was used to analyze the data. Results:The intervention group showed a significant decrease in the distress scores of menopausal symptoms over time: physical (β = −0.07, p = 0.08), psychological (β = −0.13, p = 0.05), psychosomatic (β = −0.17, p = 0.06), and total symptoms (β = −0.19, p = 0.01). Theorybased variables including attitudes, social influences and self-efficacy partially mediated the impact of the intervention on the distress scores of menopausal symptoms (p < 0.10).

The efficacy of a technology‐based information and coaching/support program on pain and symptoms in Asian American survivors of breast cancer

“…The literature has supported that coaching and information could effectively alter health behaviors through modifying these variables. More details concerning the intervention can be found elsewhere …”

A technology‐based information and coaching/support program and self‐efficacy of Asian American breast cancer survivors

“…In this study, a randomized repeated measures control group design was adopted. This was a part of a larger ongoing study that examines the efficacy of a culturally tailored technology-based information and coaching/support program on survivorship experience of Asian American breast cancer survivors (Im et al, 2018(Im et al, , 2019Im, Kim, Yang, & Chee, 2020;Im et al, 2017). The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the authors' institution.…”

“…Again, all the intervention components were accessed through computers, mobile devices, and tablets. More detailed information on the intervention is available elsewhere (Im et al, 2018(Im et al, , 2019Im, Kim, Xu et al, 2020;Im et al, 2017).…”

Palliative Care for the Asian American Adult Population: A Scoping Review

“…Another study of Chinese AA, Korean AA, and Japanese AA patients with breast cancer evaluated the efficacy of a 3-month program on alleviating menopausal symptoms. 37 The program, using coaching sessions by nurses of the same race/ethnicity and culturalspecific resources, showed a significant improvement in symptom distress.…”

“…Five studies explored symptom management in AAs. 24,[33][34][35][36][37] Of these, 3 focused on pain and found barriers to pain management, including lack of knowledge, English-language proficiency, and cultural beliefs. 24,33,34 Asian Americans born in Japan, Vietnam, and China were not accustomed to expressing pain and seeking pain relief, based on cultural values such as not wanting to bother others and misconceptions related to medications.…”