E-intervention on Subclinical Fear of Cancer Recurrence

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cancer; Psychooncology; Fear of Cancer Recurrence

Treatments: Behavioral: eConquerFear-HK; Behavioral: Basic Cancer Care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06207006

UW22-602

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study aims to adapt a metacognition-based ConquerFear-HK to an internet-based self-management intervention, namely eConquerFear-HK and evaluate in a randomised controlled trial, its feasibility, utility, and potential effectiveness on fear of cancer recurrence reduction among local Chinese cancer survivors with subclinical fear of cancer recurrence.

Full description

A pilot randomised controlled feasibility trial will used to test the feasibility, utility, and potential effectiveness of an internet-based self-management intervention for fear of cancer recurrence among local Chinese cancer survivors with subclinical fear of cancer recurrence.

The following hypotheses will be tested:

1. There will be a greater FCR improvement in cancer survivors receiving eConquerFear-HK intervention vs those in the active control group.
2. There will be a greater MCQ reduction in cancer survivors receiving eConquerFear-HK intervention vs those in the active control group.
3. There will be greater improvements in secondary outcomes (psychological distress and quality of life) in cancer survivors receiving eConquerFear-HK intervention vs those in the active control group.
4. Cancer survivors receiving eConquerFear-HK intervention will perceive the intervention useful for managing their FCR and be satisfied with the intervention.
5. Cancer survivors receiving eConquerFear-HK intervention will show high completion rates.

Enrollment: 48 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking Chinese cancer survivors
• recently diagnosed with potentially curable (stage 0 to III) colorectal or breast cancer
• had recently completed surgery as primary treatment
• have completed hospital-based adjuvant treatments (including radiotherapy and chemotherapy) within the past six months
• scored 13 to 21 on the fear of cancer recurrence-short form will be recruited.

Exclusion criteria

• non-Chinese ethnicity
• metastatic cancer
• with current diagnosis of depression or psychosis or are currently receiving psychological treatments
• language or intellectual difficulties that prevent them from understanding the intervention content
• having limited or no Internet access.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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48 participants in 2 patient groups

eConquerFear-HK

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the eConquerFear-HK intervention group will receive six online modules with each containing educational text, illustrative graphics, interactive exercises, and brief videos. Every module will teach a specific topic, such as self-examination and medical surveillance, values-based goal setting, attention training, detached mindfulness, worry management and treatment summary and relapse prevention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: eConquerFear-HK

Basic Cancer Care

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the control group will receive six videos, which were designed to provide comprehensive lifestyle guidance (e.g., relaxation techniques, diet and physical activity advices) to help with survivors' maintenance of health in long-term.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Basic Cancer Care