Feasibility study of a self-guided cognitive behaviour therapy Internet intervention for cancer carers
Karen Scott A and Lisa Beatty A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: lisa.beatty@flinders.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 19(4) 270-274 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13025
Submitted: 27 February 2013 Accepted: 2 June 2013 Published: 25 June 2013
Abstract
Despite the evidence base for Internet-delivered self-help programmes, their application to cancer carers has not been reported. This feasibility study evaluated a 6-week internet cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programme for early stage cancer carers. The study participants comprised 13 carers who were recruited over a 17-month period. Measures included distress, quality of life and programme engagement. Changes over time were measured using effect sizes (Cohen’s d), whereas acceptibility was assessed using qualitative feedback. Low enrolment and high attrition rates resulted in a failure to demonstrate feasibility. Large improvements in negative affect (d = 0.88) and emotional functioning (d = 0.62) were found. For treatment completers, the intervention holds promise in reducing distress. However, in light of the serious challenges with recruitment and retention, further research is needed to resolve participation barriers.
Additional keywords: distress, iCBT, online intervention, self-help.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) ‘Household use of information technology, Australia, 2010–11.’ Cat. no. 8146.0. (Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra)Beatty LJ, Koczwara B, Rice J, Wade TD (2010) A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a self-help workbook intervention on distress, coping and QOL after breast cancer diagnosis. Medical Journal of Australia 193, S68–S73.
Beatty L, Koczwara B, Wade T (2011) ‘Cancer coping online’: a pilot trial of a self-guided CBT Internet intervention for cancer-related distress. E-Journal of Applied Psychology 7, 17–25.
| ‘Cancer coping online’: a pilot trial of a self-guided CBT Internet intervention for cancer-related distress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cancer Council SA and Government of South Australia (2011) ‘Statewide cancer control plan 2011–2015.’ (Department of Health, SA: Adelaide)
Christensen H, Griffiths K, Korten A, Brittliffe K, Groves C (2004) A comparison of changes in anxiety and depression symptoms of spontaneous users and trial participants of a cognitive behavior therapy website. Journal of Medical Internet Research 6, e46
| A comparison of changes in anxiety and depression symptoms of spontaneous users and trial participants of a cognitive behavior therapy website.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15631970PubMed |
Christensen H, Griffiths K, Groves C, Korten A (2006) Free range users and one hit wonders: community users of an Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy program. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40, 59–62.
| Free range users and one hit wonders: community users of an Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy program.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16403040PubMed |
Donkin L, Christensen H, Naismith S, Neal B, Hickie I, Glozier N (2011) A systematic review of the impact of adherence on the effectiveness of e-therapies. Journal of Medical Internet Research 13, e52
| A systematic review of the impact of adherence on the effectiveness of e-therapies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21821503PubMed |
Foa EB, Riggs DS, Dancu CV, Rothbaum BO (1993) Reliability and validity of a brief instrument for assessing post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress 6, 459–473.
| Reliability and validity of a brief instrument for assessing post-traumatic stress disorder.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gellatly J, Bower P, Hennessy S, Richards D, Gilbody S, Lovell K (2007) What makes self-help interventions effective in the management of depressive symptoms? Meta-analysis and meta-regression. Psychological Medicine 37, 1217–1228.
| What makes self-help interventions effective in the management of depressive symptoms? Meta-analysis and meta-regression.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17306044PubMed |
Klee M, Groenvold M, Machin D (1997) Quality of life of Danish women: population-based norms for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Quality of Life Research 6, 27–34.
| Quality of life of Danish women: population-based norms for the EORTC QLQ-C30.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2s3hs1Wlsw%3D%3D&md5=4a3d0ea674b3890f1e32b886afae1b62CAS | 9062439PubMed |
Lambert SD, Girgis A, Lecathelinais C, Stacey F (2013) Walking a mile in their shoes: anxiety and depression among partners and caregivers of cancer survivors at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Supportive Care in Cancer 21, 75–85.
| Walking a mile in their shoes: anxiety and depression among partners and caregivers of cancer survivors at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22661096PubMed |
Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH (1995) The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy 33, 335–343.
| The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2M3ktl2jsA%3D%3D&md5=285dc916cc6af51d07896874c92e2d0dCAS | 7726811PubMed |
Matthey S (1998) p <.05. But is it clinically significant? Practical examples for clinicians. Behaviour Change 15, 140–146.
Northouse LL, Katapodi MC, Song L, Zhang L, Mood DW (2010) Interventions with family caregivers of cancer patients: meta-analysis of randomized trials. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 60, 317–339.
Pellegrino R, Formica V, Portarena I, Mariotti S, Grenga I, Del Monte G, Roselli M (2010) Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer. Anticancer Research 30, 4657–4663.
Pitceathly C, Maguire P (2003) The psychological impact of cancer on patients’ partners and other key relatives: a review. European Journal of Cancer 39, 1517–1524.
| The psychological impact of cancer on patients’ partners and other key relatives: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3szisFyktQ%3D%3D&md5=1416246b76bd0379beae10c7960040dfCAS | 12855257PubMed |
Stenberg U, Ruland CM, Miaskowski C (2010) Review of the literature on the effects of caring for a patient with cancer. Psycho-Oncology 19, 1013–1025.
| Review of the literature on the effects of caring for a patient with cancer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20014159PubMed |
