Promoting Emotional Well-Being in Older Breast Cancer Patients: Results From an eHealth Intervention

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with increases in diagnoses at all ages. Due to several age-related factors, older breast cancer patients show particular difficulties in adjusting to breast cancer and its related treatments. One consistent indicator of vulnerability to long-term complications is emotional distress occurring within 3 months of diagnosis. Thus, it is critical to develop early interventions specifically aimed at mitigating distress and promoting emotional wellbeing in older breast cancer patients. By taking advantage of the opportunities of online interventions, the present study aimed to test the efficacy of a 2 weeks e-health stress inoculation training (SIT) intervention on emotion regulation and cancer-related well-being, compared with a control group without such intervention. Twenty-nine women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, who had received radical surgery and who were suitable candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes (mean age = 62.76; SD = 6.19) voluntarily took part in the current study after giving written informed consent. To test intervention efficacy, self-report questionnaires were administered to all participants at baseline, at the end of the 2 weeks intervention, and 3 months after the end of the intervention. Results showed that after 2 weeks of ehealth intervention, patients did not achieve significant change, however, they significantly reduced emotional suppression and increased cancer-related emotional well-being 3 months after the end of the intervention. Furthermore, by monitoring at a distance the emotional experience during the online intervention, we found an increase in relaxation and a reduction of anxiety. Finally, patients in the experimental group reported a good level of acceptance of the ehealth intervention. To conclude, designing and developing eHealth interventions as part of the regular care path for breast cancer patients of all ages represents both a challenge and an opportunity; in particular, online interventions can be an important step in universal psychosocial care within a tiered model of care.

E-health literacy and associated factors among chronic patients in a low-income country: a cross-sectional survey

“…Frequency of internet use was also the predictive variable with p -value< 0.05 where chronic patients those who use internet on a daily basis are almost 3 (AOR: 2.96) times more likely to have high eHealth literacy skill when compared to those who use internet 1 day and less than 1 day a week with 95%CI: (1.08, 6.76). This finding is similar with different studies confirming that frequent internet users possess higher eHealth literacy skill [ 15 , 30 , 57 , 58 ]. In addition, higher computer literacy was also highly associated with higher eHealth literacy skill which is similar with studies done elsewhere [ 59 – 61 ].…”

Psychological Aspects to Consider in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

“…The specific intervention described for geriatric cancer patients are coping and communication support for older cancer patients (CCS) and CARE intervention—cancer and aging: reflections of elders [ 24 ]. Also, web-based intervention (e-health) resulted in significant support for elderly BC patients during their upcoming chemotherapy and offered them effective coping strategies [ 25 ].…”

Protocol for a scoping review of digital health for older adults with cancer and their families

“…22 Villani et al evaluated eHealth stress inoculation training intervention on emotional regulation and cancer-related well-being in 29 women over 55 years of age with breast cancer (mean age, 62.76 years), and revealed a good level of acceptance of the eHealth intervention, an increase in relaxation and a reduction in anxiety among women in the intervention group. 23 Hoogland et al surveyed eHealth literacy in older adults with cancer and found that older adults had significantly lower eHealth literacy than younger patients, which suggests older cancer patients' needs and abilities should be considered when designing and implementing health information technology. 17 There is a need for comprehensive evidence to inform the research and development of digital health solutions, and to understand the imperatives of designing, implementing and evaluating digital healthcare initiatives in the context of geriatric oncology populations.…”