Web-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Severe Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Feasibility Study

Feasibility and potential effectiveness of nurse-led video-coaching interventions for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: the REVIVER study

BACKGROUND

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors, at risk for late effects, including cancer-related fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and psychosocial challenges, may benefit from interventions stimulating behaviour adjustments. Three nurse-led eHealth interventions (REVIVER) delivered via video calls and elaborating on person-centred care, cognitive behaviour therapy and/or motivational interviewing were developed. These interventions target: 1) fatigue management, 2) healthier lifestyle behaviours, and 3) self-efficacy and self-management. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the REVIVER interventions for CAYA cancer survivors and healthcare professionals.

METHODS

In a single-group mixed methods design, CAYA cancer survivors aged 16-54, more than five years post-treatment, were enrolled. Feasibility, assessed via Bowen's outcomes for feasibility studies, included acceptability, practicality, integration and implementation, demand and adherence. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview with survivors and healthcare professionals supplemented the evaluation. Paired sample t-tests assessed changes in self-reported quality of life, fatigue, lifestyle, self-management, and self-efficacy at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 6-month follow-up (T2).

RESULTS

The interventions and video consults were generally acceptable, practical, and successfully integrated and implemented. Success factors included the nurse consultant (i.e., communication, approach, and attitude) and the personalised approach. Barriers included sustainability concerns, technical issues, and short intervention duration. Regarding demand, 71.4%, 65.4%, and 100% of eligible CAYA cancer survivors engaged in the fatigue (N = 15), lifestyle (N = 17) and empowerment (N = 3) intervention, respectively, with 5, 5 and 2 participants interviewed, correspondingly. Low interest (demand) in the empowerment intervention (N = 3) and dropout rates of one-third for both fatigue and empowerment interventions were noted (adherence). Improvements in quality of life, fatigue (fatigue intervention), lifestyle (lifestyle intervention), self-efficacy, and self-management were evident among survivors who completed the fatigue and lifestyle interventions, with medium and large effect sizes observed immediately after the intervention and six months post-intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the feasibility of nurse-led video coaching (REVIVER interventions) despite lower demand for the empowerment intervention and lower adherence to the fatigue and empowerment interventions. The medium and high effect sizes found for those who completed the interventions hold potential clinical significance for future studies investigating the effectiveness of the REVIVER interventions.

Impact of individualized treatment on recovery from fatigue and return to work in survivors of advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: results from the randomized international GHSG HD18 trial

BACKGROUND

Persisting cancer-related fatigue impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and social reintegration in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). The GHSG HD18 trial established treatment de-escalation for advanced-stage HL guided by positron emission tomography after two cycles (PET-2) as new standard. Here, we investigate the impact of treatment de-escalation on long-term HRQoL, time to recovery from fatigue (TTR-F), and time to return to work (TTR-W).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and life situation questionnaires at baseline, interim, end of treatment, and yearly follow-up. TTR-F was defined as time from the end of chemotherapy until the first fatigue score <30. TTR-W was analyzed in previously working or studying patients and measured from the end of treatment until the first documented work or education. We compared duration of treatment on TTR-F and TTR-W using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULTS

HRQoL questionnaires at baseline were available in 1632 (83.9%) of all randomized patients. Overall, higher baseline fatigue and age were significantly associated with longer TTR-F and TTR-W and male sex with shorter TTR-W. Treatment reduction from eight to four chemotherapy cycles led to a significantly shorter TTR-F [hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, P = 0.008] and descriptively shorter TTR-W (HR 1.24, P = 0.084) in PET-2-negative patients. Reduction from six to four cycles led to non-significant but plausible intermediate accelerations. The addition of rituximab caused significantly slower TTR-F (HR 0.70, P = 0.0163) and TTR-W (HR 0.64, P = 0.0017) in PET-2-positive patients. HRQoL at baseline and age were the main determinants of 2-year HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Individualized first-line treatment in patients with advanced-stage HL considerably shortens TTR-F and TTR-W in PET-2-negative patients. Our results support the use of response-adapted shortened treatment duration for patients with HL.

How does social media use influence the mental health of pancreatic cancer patients: a chain mediating effect of online social support and psychological resilience

Background

Pancreatic cancer is an extremely malignant disease that poses a serious threat to the mental health of patients. Many cancer patients now use social media for online social support. However, the impact of social media on mental health is currently inconsistent in the academic community. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating effects of online social support and psychological resilience in the relationship between social media use and mental health of pancreatic cancer patients.

Methods

Four hundred and twenty-five valid questionnaires were collected through convenience sampling. All data were processed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. We examine the influence relationships among latent variables by constructing a structural equation model. Then SPSS Process Macro was used to test the chain mediating effect of the model.

Results

The results showed that (1) anxiety situations occurred in 22.2% of participants (N = 94), while the incidence of depression was 20.2% (N = 86). (2) Social media use positively influenced online social support (β = 0.990, p < 0.001), psychological resilience (β = 0.504, p < 0.001), and mental health (β = 0.330, p < 0.001); online social support positively influenced psychological resilience (β = 0.535, p < 0.001) and mental health (β = 0.354, p < 0.001); psychological resilience significantly and positively influenced mental health (β = 0.243, p < 0.001). (3) The chain mediating effect of online social support and psychological resilience was significant at 0.253 with a confidence interval of [0.178, 0.340].

Conclusion

Pancreatic cancer patients in China are exposed to a high burden of anxiety and depression, which requires urgent attention. Meanwhile, online social support and psychological resilience played a chain mediating role between social media use and mental health (anxiety and depression), and our results provide new insights and ways to support the mental health improvement of pancreatic cancer patients.