Results from a randomized controlled trial testing StressProffen; an application‐based stress‐management intervention for cancer survivors

Abstract

Background:In-person cognitive-behavioral stress-management interventions are consistently associated with reduced cancer distress. However, face-to-face delivery is an access barrier for many patients, and there is a need to develop remote-delivered interventions. The current study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of an application (app)-based cancer stress-management intervention, StressProffen, in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Cancer survivors, maximum 1-year posttreatment (N = 172), were randomized to StressProffen (n = 84) or a usual care control group (n = 88). Participants received a blended delivery care model: (a) one face-to-face introduction session, (b) 10 app-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management modules, and (c) followup phone calls at weeks 2-3 and 6-7. Outcome measures included stress (Perceived Stress Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Short-Form Health Surveys [SF-36]) at 3-months post-intervention, analyzed with change scores as dependent variables in linear regression models. Results: Participants were primarily women (82%), aged 20-78 years (mean 52, SD 11.2), with mixed cancer types (majority breast cancer; 48%). Analysis of 149 participants completing questionnaires at baseline and 3 months revealed significant intervention effects: decreased stress (mean difference [MD] −2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], [−5.2 to −0.4]; P = .022) and improved HRQoL (Role Physical MD = 17.7, [CI 3.7-31.3], P = .013; Social Functioning MD = 8.5, [CI 0.7-16.2], P = .034; Role Emotional MD = 19.5, [CI 3.7-35.2], P = .016; Mental Health MD = 6.7, [CI 1.7-11.6], P = .009). No significant changes were observed for anxiety or depression. Conclusions: Digital-based cancer stress-management interventions, such as StressProffen, have the potential to provide easily accessible, effective psychosocial support for cancer survivors. 3776 | BØRØSUND et al.

Digital Self-Management in Support of Patients Living With Chronic Pain: Feasibility Pilot Study

“…Outcome measures were completed through a secure TSD server online at baseline (ie, before the introduction session) and at 3 months after the introduction session (ie, at a 3-month follow-up). Program completers were defined as participants completing at least six out of the nine modules (67%) of the EPIO program in the 3-month study period [ 46 ].…”

Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Technology Preferences to Support Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study

“…In this study, we examined (1) changes in physical activity or sedentary behaviors since the onset of COVID-19, along with changes in their mental health status, and (2) alternative strategies to support survivors' physical activity and social health during and after COVID-19, including the role of digital health in these strategies. Although the role of digital health in promoting physical activity and mental health has been understudied among survivors [14], some trials [15] have reported the feasibility, adherence, and effectiveness of digital health [15]. Because the lasting effects of COVID-19 are unknown, this formative study may contribute to the development of digital community-based physical activity and social support programs.…”

Developing Internet Interventions to Improve Psychosocial Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors : Attitudes and practices in Portuguese cancer settings

“…BCS' anxiety symptoms (37,167). More recently, various RCT studies have been conducted, adding mostly to the evidence of iCBT in the improvement of depression (172), anxiety (173), distress (174), fear of cancer recurrence (175), sleep quality (176,177), sexual functioning (178) and HRQoL (179,180) Despite the potential usefulness and cost-effectiveness of internet interventions in the cancer domain, research in this area is scant (37) and implementation in clinical settings is limited (38). In Portugal, at the moment of this thesis redaction, only three additional studies targeting cancer populations appeared to be ongoing since 2020/21 (186)(187)(188) and none had been translated yet into clinical practice.…”

“…The methods described above provide direction on how to develop human-centred internet interventions for BCS. However, to date, only five out of the 15 reviewed studies appear to have been tested using an RCT design (172,175,179,241,242)…”