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Akdemir A, Smith AB, Wu VS, Rincones O, Russell H, Lyhne JD, Kemp E, David M, Bamgboje-Ayodele A. Guided versus non-guided digital psychological interventions for cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of engagement and efficacy. Psychooncology 2024; 33:e6290. [PMID: 38282223 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate engagement with and efficacy of guided versus non-guided digital interventions targeting psychological symptoms of cancer via a systematic review of current evidence. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases were searched. Eligible publications were randomised controlled trials of guided or non-guided digital psychological interventions used in cancer settings reporting intervention efficacy and/or engagement. Study methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Random effects meta-analyses were performed on outcomes with sufficient data, with sub-group analyses of intervention type and follow-up period. RESULTS Forty-three studies were included. Studies varied by level of guidance, type of technology used, duration, and outcomes assessed. Most studies had a high overall RoB. Meta-analysis indicated that guided interventions significantly reduced distress, anxiety, and fatigue, while non-guided did not. For depression and quality of life, both guided and non-guided interventions produced significant improvements. Guided interventions reported higher levels of intervention engagement than non-guided. CONCLUSIONS Guided digital psychological interventions were likely to be more effective than non-guided ones for cancer patients, particularly in reducing distress, anxiety, and fatigue. Whilst both types were found to improve depression and life quality, guided interventions were associated with higher patient engagement. These findings suggest digital interventions could supplement traditional cancer care, warranting further research concerning long-term effects and cost-efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleyna Akdemir
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Allan Ben Smith
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Verena Shuwen Wu
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Orlando Rincones
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hayley Russell
- Ovarian Cancer Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Johanne Dam Lyhne
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Emma Kemp
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael David
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine & Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adeola Bamgboje-Ayodele
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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The mental health impacts of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis: A meta-analysis. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1582-1592. [PMID: 34482373 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01542-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be a turning point with negative impacts on mental health, treatment and prognosis. This meta-analysis sought to determine the nature and prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress-related symptoms in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS Ten databases were searched between March and August 2020. Thirty-nine quantitative studies were meta-analysed. RESULTS The prevalence of clinically significant symptoms was 39% for non-specific distress (n = 13), 34% for anxiety (n = 19), 31% for post-traumatic stress (n = 7) and 20% for depression (n = 25). No studies reporting breast cancer patients' well-being in our specific time frame were found. CONCLUSION Mental health can be impacted in at least four domains following a diagnosis of breast cancer and such effects are commonplace. This study outlines a clear need for mitigating the impacts on mental health brought about by breast cancer diagnosis. CRD42020203990.
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Perski O, Short CE. Acceptability of digital health interventions: embracing the complexity. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:1473-1480. [PMID: 33963864 PMCID: PMC8320880 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acceptability is a core concept in digital health. Available frameworks have not clearly articulated why and how researchers, practitioners and policy makers may wish to study the concept of acceptability. Here, we aim to discuss (i) the ways in which acceptability might differ from closely related concepts, including user engagement; (ii) the utility of the concept of acceptability in digital health research and practice; (iii) social and cultural norms that influence acceptability; and (iv) pragmatic means of measuring acceptability, within and beyond the research process. Our intention is not to offer solutions to these open questions but to initiate a debate within the digital health community. We conducted a narrative review of theoretical and empirical examples from the literature. First, we argue that acceptability may usefully be considered an emergent property of a complex, adaptive system of interacting components (e.g., affective attitude, beliefs), which in turn influences (and is influenced by) user engagement. Second, acceptability is important due to its ability to predict and explain key outcomes of interest, including user engagement and intervention effectiveness. Third, precisely what people find acceptable is deeply contextualized and interlinked with prevailing social and cultural norms. Understanding and designing for such norms (e.g., through drawing on principles of user centered design) is therefore key. Finally, there is a lack of standard acceptability measures and thresholds. Star ratings coupled with free-text responses may provide a pragmatic means of capturing acceptability. Acceptability is a multifaceted concept, which may usefully be studied with a complexity science lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Perski
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Camille E Short
- Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Doorenbos AZ, Jang MK, Li H, Lally RM. eHealth Education: Methods to Enhance Oncology Nurse, Patient, and Caregiver Teaching. Clin J Oncol Nurs 2021; 24:42-48. [PMID: 32441697 DOI: 10.1188/20.cjon.s1.42-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND eHealth can enhance the delivery of clinical cancer care by offering unique education opportunities for oncology nurses, patients, and family caregivers throughout the cancer trajectory. OBJECTIVES This article reviews eHealth technology that can be applied to oncology education, such as mobile health applications, text messaging, web-based education, and audio- and videoconferencing. METHODS Case studies provide exemplars of eHealth technologies used for delivering oncology education to nurses, patients, and caregivers. FINDINGS By using eHealth technologies to obtain and provide education, oncology nurses are well positioned to improve the lives of patients and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robin M Lally
- University of Nebraska Medical Center and Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
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Lally RM, Kupzyk K, Gallo S, Berry D. Use of an Unguided, Web-Based Distress Self-Management Program After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Sub-Analysis of CaringGuidance Pilot Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e19734. [PMID: 32628117 PMCID: PMC7381261 DOI: 10.2196/19734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unguided, web-based psychoeducational interventions are gaining interest as a way to reach patients while reducing pressure on clinical resources. However, there has been little research on how patients with cancer use these interventions. Objective The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how women newly diagnosed with breast cancer used the unguided web-based, psychoeducational distress self-management program CaringGuidance After Breast Cancer Diagnosis while enrolled in a pilot feasibility study. Methods Women with stage 0 to II breast cancer diagnosed within the prior three months were recruited from clinics primarily in the Northeastern United States for participation in a 12-week pilot study of CaringGuidance plus usual care versus usual care alone. Usage prompts included sets of emails sent weekly for 12 weeks; standardized congratulatory emails after every two hours of program use, and informative emails for each cognitive-behavioral exercise. Individual user activity on the site was automatically tracked by an analytics system and recorded directly in the CaringGuidance database. Results Complete usage data were available for 54 subjects. Ninety-eight percent of the intervention group logged into CaringGuidance independently at least once. Thirty-eight (70%) logged in during all three months, 15 (28%) were intermittent users, and one (2%) was a non-user. Users (n=53) averaged 15.6 (SD 9.85) logins. Mean logins were greatest in month 1 (7.26, SD 4.02) and declined in months 2 (4.32, SD 3.66) and month 3 (4.02, SD 3.82). Eleven (21%) used CaringGuidance with both the frequency and activity level intended at study outset, 9 (17%) exceeded intended frequency and activity (high-high users), and 10 (19%) were below expected usage on both login frequency and activity (low-low users). Low-low users and high-high users differed significantly (P<.001) in the total number of views and unique views of all program components. Change in depressive symptoms and the number of sessions (r=.351) and logins (r=.348) between study months 1 and 2 were significantly correlated (P=.018, .019). Higher baseline distress was associated with more unique views of program resources (r=.281, P=.043). Change in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3, and the number of users’ unique exercise views were negatively correlated (r=–.319, P=.035) so that more unique exercise views, equated with greater decline in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3. Conclusions These findings favor the hypothesis that the key ingredient is not the amount of program use, but each user’s self-selected activity within the program. More research is needed on the ideal ways to maintain use, and capture and define engagement and enactment of behaviors by people with cancer accessing unguided, self-management web-based programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Lally
- College of Nursing, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kevin Kupzyk
- College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Steve Gallo
- Center for Computational Research, Roswell Park Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Donna Berry
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Psycho-oncology has completed 25 years. There is growing recognition of the psychosocial needs of persons living with cancer and the role of sociocultural factors in addressing the needs. This review addresses the research in developing countries relating to distress associated with living with cancer and psychosocial care. RECENT FINDINGS There is growing recognition of the emotional needs, understanding of the sociocultural aspects of the emotional responses of persons, caregivers, role of resilience and posttraumatic growth and spirituality in cancer care. Psychosocial aspects of cancer are largely influenced by social, economic, cultural, religious and health systems. A number of innovative approaches to care like use of yoga, financial and material support and involvement of caregivers have been implemented. A positive development is the increasing professional attention to document and develop innovative care programmes. SUMMARY A significant proportion of the general population are living with cancer. There are significant psychosocial needs largely influenced by social, economic, cultural, religious aspects of the communities. There are a wide range of interventions from self-care to professional care to address the needs. In developing countries, there is need for longitudinal studies of psycho-social experiences, develop interventions that are culturally appropriate, along with enhanced use of information technology along with evaluation of interventions.
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CaringGuidance™ after breast cancer diagnosis eHealth psychoeducational intervention to reduce early post-diagnosis distress. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:2163-2174. [PMID: 31414245 PMCID: PMC7083810 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05028-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Significant cancer-related distress affects 30–60% of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Fewer than 30% of distressed patients receive psychosocial care. Unaddressed distress is associated with poor treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a new web-based, psychoeducational distress self-management program, CaringGuidance™ After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, on newly diagnosed women’s reported distress. Methods One-hundred women, in five states, diagnosed with breast cancer within the prior 3 months, were randomized to 12 weeks of independent use of CaringGuidance™ plus usual care or usual care alone. The primary multidimensional outcome, distress, was measured with the Distress Thermometer (DT), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Impact of Events Scale (IES) at baseline and months 1, 2, and 3. Intervention usage was continually monitored by the data analytic system imbedded within CaringGuidance™. Results Although multilevel models showed no significant overall effects, post hoc analysis showed significant group differences in slopes occurring between study months 2 and 3 on distress (F(1,70) = 4.91, p = .03, η2 = .065) measured by the DT, and depressive symptoms (F(1, 76) = 4.25, p = .043, η2 = .053) favoring the intervention. Conclusions Results provide preliminary support for the potential efficacy of CaringGuidance™ plus usual care over usual care alone on distress in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. This analysis supports and informs future study of this self-management program aimed at filling gaps in clinical distress management.
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