D Dirkse1,2, H D Hadjistavropoulos3, N A Alberts4, E Karin5, L H Schneider3, N Titov5, B F Dear5. 1. Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, PZ 350 - 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3N4, Canada. ddirkse@hsc.mb.ca. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada. ddirkse@hsc.mb.ca. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada. 4. Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-3678, USA. 5. eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and acceptability of two low-intensity methods of offering a transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) intervention for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression among cancer survivors. METHODS:Cancer survivors with symptoms of anxiety or depression (n = 86) were randomly assigned to receive a transdiagnostic ICBT programme (Wellbeing After Cancer) that was either guided by a technician (n = 42) or self-guided (n = 44). Measures of anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, and quality of life were completed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4 weeks following treatment completion. RESULTS: Large within-group effect sizes were observed on measures of depression, anxiety, and mental health-related quality of life (d range, 0.98-1.86) at post-treatment. Medium effects were found for reductions in fear of cancer recurrence (d range, 0.65-0.78). Non-inferiority was established for the primary outcome measures of anxiety and depression. All participants reported high satisfaction ratings of the programme; however, technician-guided participants were slightly more satisfied with their level of support (d = 0.57, p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The Wellbeing After Cancer Course was associated with improved levels of anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, and quality of life, regardless of how ICBT was offered. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: ICBT is emerging as an accessible and effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors. The success of non-therapist-guided options increases the potential scalability of ICBT, which is particularly valuable for cancer survivors from rural areas who have less access to mental health services.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and acceptability of two low-intensity methods of offering a transdiagnostic Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) intervention for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression among cancer survivors. METHODS:Cancer survivors with symptoms of anxiety or depression (n = 86) were randomly assigned to receive a transdiagnostic ICBT programme (Wellbeing After Cancer) that was either guided by a technician (n = 42) or self-guided (n = 44). Measures of anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, and quality of life were completed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4 weeks following treatment completion. RESULTS: Large within-group effect sizes were observed on measures of depression, anxiety, and mental health-related quality of life (d range, 0.98-1.86) at post-treatment. Medium effects were found for reductions in fear of cancer recurrence (d range, 0.65-0.78). Non-inferiority was established for the primary outcome measures of anxiety and depression. All participants reported high satisfaction ratings of the programme; however, technician-guided participants were slightly more satisfied with their level of support (d = 0.57, p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The Wellbeing After Cancer Course was associated with improved levels of anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, and quality of life, regardless of how ICBT was offered. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: ICBT is emerging as an accessible and effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors. The success of non-therapist-guided options increases the potential scalability of ICBT, which is particularly valuable for cancer survivors from rural areas who have less access to mental health services.
Authors: Franziska Holtdirk; Anja Mehnert; Mario Weiss; Johannes Mayer; Björn Meyer; Peter Bröde; Maren Claus; Carsten Watzl Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-05-07 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Calista Leung; Julia Pei; Kristen Hudec; Farhud Shams; Richard Munthali; Daniel Vigo Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2022-06-15 Impact factor: 7.076
Authors: Yvonne L Luigjes-Huizer; Nina M Tauber; Gerry Humphris; Nadine A Kasparian; Wendy W T Lam; Sophie Lebel; Sébastien Simard; Allan Ben Smith; Robert Zachariae; Yati Afiyanti; Katy J L Bell; José A E Custers; Niek J de Wit; Peter L Fisher; Jacqueline Galica; Sheila N Garland; Charles W Helsper; Mette M Jeppesen; Jianlin Liu; Roxana Mititelu; Evelyn M Monninkhof; Lahiru Russell; Josée Savard; Anne E M Speckens; Sanne J van Helmondt; Sina Vatandoust; Nicholas Zdenkowski; Marije L van der Lee Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2022-04-07 Impact factor: 3.955