Project onward: an innovative e‐health intervention for cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of an Individual Internet Intervention (III) embedded and integrated into an Internet Support Group (ISG) with the ultimate goal of enhancing adherence and learning, compared to an individual internet invention alone. Method Thirty-one post-treatment cancer survivors were randomized in groups of seven to nine to either the 8-week III+ISG intervention or the 8-week III condition. Seventeen participants met HADS criteria for depressive symptoms (HADS>=8). Results Among all participants, the mean number of logins over 8 weeks was 20.8±17.7 logins for the III+ISG compared to 12.5±12.5 in III-only (p=0.15). Two participants in the III+ISG dropped out, compared to 5 in III (p=0.39). Among the 17 participants with depressive symptoms at baseline, both the Onward and the III-only condition showed large reductions in the HADS-dep (d=1.27 & 0.89, respectively). Improvement over time and time×treatment effects only reached trend significance levels (ps=0.07 & 0.12) as this pilot was not powered to detect these differences. Conclusion Both the III+ISG and III-only demonstrated pre-post reductions in depressive symptoms and high rates of utilization compared to other web-based treatments for depression. While it is premature to make any determination as to the efficacy of the interventions tested in this feasibility study, these results indicate that pursuing the III+ISG model as well as standard IIIs, may be fruitful areas of future research.

An evidence-based stress management intervention for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant caregivers: development, feasibility and acceptability

“…Future research should focus on delivery modalities that decrease burden and increase acceptability in a larger proportion of caregivers (e.g., those who are feeling too overwhelmed to attend in-person intervention sessions). Telephone interventions have been successful in providing efficacious psychosocial interventions for cancer patients and caregivers [36][37][38][39] and recent research on web-based interventions [40][41][42] and interventions using Smart phones and other delivery platforms [43] appear promising. These interventions provide more flexibility and cancer caregivers report they would reduce burden [44].…”

Preliminary Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Psychological Intervention to Reduce Distress in Men Treated for Localised Prostate Cancer

“…Although there is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of online CBT-based interventions in mental health generally [24][25][26], research on online psychological interventions for patients who have cancer is still in its infancy [16,27,28]. There has also been limited research on the role of online support such as Internet support conditions and moderated forums, although it is widely accepted that peer support can play a major role in supporting men who have PCa [27]. Research examining online peer support has primarily focused on the benefit of this support alone, not in combination with a structured psychological intervention.…”

Developing peer support in film for cancer self-management: what do men want other men to know?

“…Sharing experiences through online forums has mixed success: these can be non-threatening settings and improvements in emotional and psychological symptoms have been found, yet online environments can also increase the perceived emotional and information risks already associated with disease and treatment. [12,45,46] Resistance to engage has been confirmed in recent prostate cancer research: a minority of participants in an online psychological intervention found other men's posts useful, and a majority spent more time reading rather than actively participating. [47,48] There is a sector of prostate cancer survivors who are likely to receive a diluted peer support experience.…”