Compas-Y: A mixed methods pilot evaluation of a mobile self-compassion training for people with newly diagnosed cancer

Abstract

Objective: Compas-Y is a compassionate mind training app that was co-designed to be fully adapted to mobile technology and to people with newly diagnosed cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the use, appreciation and impact of the app.

Methods: Seventy-one people with cancer who created an app account were included (38% breast cancer, 72% diagnosed <4 months ago, 76% received chemotherapy). Participants had very high baseline scores of self-compassion. In a convergent mixed methods design, back-end log-data (n = 71), pre-post surveys (n = 34) and semi-structured interviews (n = 23) collected for >8 weeks and were concurrently analysed using joint displays.

Results: About half of the participants (45%) used 4 of the 6 modules. Compas-Y was highly appreciated, with all content considered relevant and a source of support. Experienced benefits related to improved mental health. Particularly, we found significant changes in anxiety, but not in depression or well-being. In the interviews, people reported experiencing more rest and more positive emotions due to using the app. Process benefits included significant reductions in self-criticism (inadequate self and self-blame), but not self-compassion. In the interviews, people reported improved self-compassion and less self-criticism, more self-awareness, recognition and support, and improved emotion regulation and coping. The surveys did not capture the full range of outcomes that participants reported in the interviews.

Conclusions: Compas-Y is a highly appreciated mobile intervention that supported users in aspects of their mental health. Findings are discussed in terms of reach and adherence, app functionalities, co-design and tailoring of cancer-related and compassion-based eHealth.

Keywords: Self-compassion; cancer; compassionate mind training; eHealth; mental well-being; mixed methods.

Figure 1.

Screenshots of Compas-Y (auto-translated). App homepage (left); psycho-education about taking rest as a way to process (difficult) experiences, after which the user will be invited to build in moments of rest (middle; soothing system exercise); multiple choice reflection question about recognising possible sources of anxiety in relation to the diagnosis (right; threat system).

Figure 2.

Participant and study flow.

Figure 3.

App components ranked by relative use and relative appreciation based on mixed analysis. App components are ranked from most to least used and colors/patterns indicate relative appreciation. Green/dotted pattern = strongest appreciation; orange/striped pattern = medium appreciation; yellow/grid pattern = weakest appreciation.