Eliza M Park1,2,3, Allison M Deal4, Hillary M Heiling4, Ahrang Jung5,6, Justin M Yopp7, Savannah M Bowers4, Laura C Hanson4,8, Mi-Kyung Song9, Carmina G Valle4,10, Brian Yi7, Anna Cassidy7, Hannah Won7, Donald L Rosenstein7,4,11. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. leeza_park@med.unc.edu. 2. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. leeza_park@med.unc.edu. 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. leeza_park@med.unc.edu. 4. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 5. School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 6. School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA. 7. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 8. Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 9. Center for Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. 10. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. 11. Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although parents with cancer report that talking with their children about cancer and dying is distressing, accessible support is rare. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web-based, tailored psychosocial intervention to help parents talk about their cancer with their children. METHODS: This pilot study used a pre-posttest design. Eligible participants were parents with new or metastatic solid tumors who had minor (ages 3-18) children. Participants who completed baseline assessments received online access to FACT. We assessed feasibility through enrollment and retention rates and reasons for study refusal. Acceptability was evaluated by satisfaction ratings. We examined participants' selection of intervention content and preliminary effects on communication self-efficacy and other psychosocial outcomes (depression and anxiety symptoms, health-related quality of life, family functioning) at 2- and 12-week post-intervention. RESULTS: Of 68 parents we approached, 53 (78%) agreed to participate. Forty-six parents completed baseline assessments and received the FACT intervention. Of the 46 participants, 35 (76%) completed 2-week assessments, and 25 (54%) completed 12-week assessments. Parents reported that FACT was helpful (90%), relevant (95%), and easy to understand (100%). Parents' psychosocial outcomes did not significantly improve post-intervention, but parents endorsed less worry about talking with their child (46% vs. 37%) and reductions in the number of communication concerns (3.4 to 1.8). CONCLUSION: The FACT intervention was feasible, acceptable, and has potential to address communication concerns of parents with cancer. A randomized trial is needed to test its efficacy in improving psychological and parenting outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was IRB-approved and registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04342871).
PURPOSE: Although parents with cancer report that talking with their children about cancer and dying is distressing, accessible support is rare. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web-based, tailored psychosocial intervention to help parents talk about their cancer with their children. METHODS: This pilot study used a pre-posttest design. Eligible participants were parents with new or metastatic solid tumors who had minor (ages 3-18) children. Participants who completed baseline assessments received online access to FACT. We assessed feasibility through enrollment and retention rates and reasons for study refusal. Acceptability was evaluated by satisfaction ratings. We examined participants' selection of intervention content and preliminary effects on communication self-efficacy and other psychosocial outcomes (depression and anxiety symptoms, health-related quality of life, family functioning) at 2- and 12-week post-intervention. RESULTS: Of 68 parents we approached, 53 (78%) agreed to participate. Forty-six parents completed baseline assessments and received the FACT intervention. Of the 46 participants, 35 (76%) completed 2-week assessments, and 25 (54%) completed 12-week assessments. Parents reported that FACT was helpful (90%), relevant (95%), and easy to understand (100%). Parents' psychosocial outcomes did not significantly improve post-intervention, but parents endorsed less worry about talking with their child (46% vs. 37%) and reductions in the number of communication concerns (3.4 to 1.8). CONCLUSION: The FACT intervention was feasible, acceptable, and has potential to address communication concerns of parents with cancer. A randomized trial is needed to test its efficacy in improving psychological and parenting outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was IRB-approved and registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04342871).
Authors: Eliza M Park; Devon K Check; Mi-Kyung Song; Katherine E Reeder-Hayes; Laura C Hanson; Justin M Yopp; Donald L Rosenstein; Deborah K Mayer Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2016-08-06 Impact factor: 4.762
Authors: Eliza M Park; Caitlin Jensen; Mi-Kyung Song; Justin M Yopp; Allison M Deal; Paula K Rauch; Joseph A Greer; Donald L Rosenstein Journal: JCO Oncol Pract Date: 2021-05-03