Kimberly S Canter1,2, Rebecca McIntyre3, Rebecca Babb3,4, Alejandra Perez Ramirez1, Gabriela Vega1, Amanda Lewis1, Cathy Bottrell3,5, Christopher Lawlor5,6,7, Anne E Kazak1,2. 1. Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Life with Cancer, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. 4. Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Inova Children's Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. 5. Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. 6. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. 7. Department of Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Electronic Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (eSCCIP), a psychosocial eHealth intervention for parents and caregivers of children with cancer (parents), was delivered in a community-based psychosocial oncology center. Primary endpoints were intervention acceptability, feasibility, and accessibility, with a secondary exploratory focus on psychosocial outcomes. PROCEDURE: Oncology therapists in a psychosocial oncology center were trained in eSCCIP delivery. Participants were eligible for participation if they were the primary caregiver of a child with cancer between the ages 0 and 17, could read and write in English, and had reliable internet access to complete eSCCIP. Surveys were administered electronically at baseline and post intervention to evaluate study endpoints. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were computed for exploratory psychosocial outcomes. Nineteen parents completed the intervention. RESULTS: Parents rated eSCCIP as highly acceptable, feasible, and accessible. A large clinical effect was detected for acute distress (d = 0.79). Moderate clinical effects were reported for overall posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (d = 0.37), negative mood/cognitions (d = 0.59), and symptoms of anxiety (d = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that eSCCIP is an acceptable, feasible, and accessible psychosocial intervention for parents. Exploratory analyses suggest that participation in eSCCIP may contribute to decreases in acute distress, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.
BACKGROUND: The Electronic Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (eSCCIP), a psychosocial eHealth intervention for parents and caregivers of children with cancer (parents), was delivered in a community-based psychosocial oncology center. Primary endpoints were intervention acceptability, feasibility, and accessibility, with a secondary exploratory focus on psychosocial outcomes. PROCEDURE: Oncology therapists in a psychosocial oncology center were trained in eSCCIP delivery. Participants were eligible for participation if they were the primary caregiver of a child with cancer between the ages 0 and 17, could read and write in English, and had reliable internet access to complete eSCCIP. Surveys were administered electronically at baseline and post intervention to evaluate study endpoints. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were computed for exploratory psychosocial outcomes. Nineteen parents completed the intervention. RESULTS: Parents rated eSCCIP as highly acceptable, feasible, and accessible. A large clinical effect was detected for acute distress (d = 0.79). Moderate clinical effects were reported for overall posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (d = 0.37), negative mood/cognitions (d = 0.59), and symptoms of anxiety (d = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that eSCCIP is an acceptable, feasible, and accessible psychosocial intervention for parents. Exploratory analyses suggest that participation in eSCCIP may contribute to decreases in acute distress, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.