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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Dec;32(12):1839-1847.
doi: 10.1002/pon.6231. Epub 2023 Oct 18.

Effectiveness of a guided online primary care intervention for fear of cancer recurrence: A randomised controlled trial

Yvonne L Luigjes-Huizer  1   2 , Charles W Helsper  2 , Niek J de Wit  2 , Marije L van der Lee  1   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of a guided online primary care intervention for fear of cancer recurrence: A randomised controlled trial

Yvonne L Luigjes-Huizer et al. Psychooncology. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) is highly prevalent among cancer survivors and leads to decreased quality of life and increased healthcare costs. We assessed the effectiveness of a guided online primary care intervention for FCR, compared to waiting list.

Methods: In this RCT, participants were recruited online and randomised 1:1. All adults who finished successful curative cancer treatment between 3 months and 10 years ago, wanted support for FCR, and had sufficient Dutch skills were eligible. The intervention consisted of a 10-week online programme and three to five video calling sessions with a trained mental health worker. After 6 months, the control group received the same intervention. The primary outcome was the difference between the groups in the change in FCR severity from baseline (T0) to 6 months (T2), measured online with the short form of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory.

Results: One hundred and seventy-three participants were enroled and randomised to the intervention (n = 86) or control group (n = 87). FCR severity dropped 2.1 points more in the intervention group than in the control group (2.7 points (SD = 3.9) versus 0.6 points (SD = 3.6), t(154) = 3.4, p = 0.0007). General mental well-being also improved significantly in the intervention group and remained stable in the control group. These improvements remained at 10 months follow up.

Conclusions: This easily accessible and relatively inexpensive intervention effectively reduces FCR and has potential to replace or precede existing more intensive psychological treatments, improving patients' access to care.

Trial registration: The trial was prospectively registered in the Netherlands Trial Register on 25-02-2019 with number NL7573.

Keywords: cancer; fear; internet-based intervention; mental health; oncology; primary health care; psychiatric nursing; psycho-oncology; randomised controlled trial.

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References

REFERENCES

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