scholarly journals Rationale and Methods for a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dyadic, Web-Based, Weight Loss Intervention among Cancer Survivors and Partners: The DUET Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3472
Author(s):  
Dorothy W. Pekmezi ◽  
Tracy E. Crane ◽  
Robert A. Oster ◽  
Laura Q. Rogers ◽  
Teri Hoenemeyer ◽  
...  

Scalable, effective interventions are needed to address poor diet, insufficient physical activity, and obesity amongst rising numbers of cancer survivors. Interventions targeting survivors and their friends and family may promote both tertiary and primary prevention. The design, rationale, and enrollment of an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) (NCT04132219) to test a web-based lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors and their supportive partners are described, along with the characteristics of the sample recruited. This two-arm, single-blinded RCT randomly assigns 56 dyads (cancer survivor and partner, both with obesity, poor diets, and physical inactivity) to the six-month DUET intervention vs. wait-list control. Intervention delivery and assessment are remotely performed with 0–6 month, between-arm tests comparing body weight status (primary outcome), and secondary outcomes (waist circumference, health indices, and biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, lipid regulation and inflammation). Despite COVID-19, targeted accrual was achieved within 9 months. Not having Internet access was a rare exclusion (<2%). Inability to identify a support partner precluded enrollment of 42% of interested/eligible survivors. The enrolled sample is diverse: ages 23–81 and 38% racial/ethnic minorities. Results support the accessibility and appeal of web-based lifestyle interventions for cancer survivors, though some cancer survivors struggled to enlist support partners and may require alternative strategies.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin K. Tagai ◽  
Suzanne M. Miller ◽  
Shawna V. Hudson ◽  
Michael A. Diefenbach ◽  
Elizabeth Handorf ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy A. Willems ◽  
Catherine A. W. Bolman ◽  
Ilse Mesters ◽  
Iris M. Kanera ◽  
Audrey A. J. M. Beaulen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Ching Su ◽  
Su-Er Guo ◽  
Ya-Wen Kuo

BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of colorectal cancer survivors have at least one comorbidity. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate the adverse effects of disease treatment, reduce patients’ mortality rate, and improve their quality of life (QoL). However, colorectal cancer survivors generally engage in insufficient PA. The present study proposed that web-based interventions can assist patients with colorectal cancer in improving their PA behavior to induce health-promoting effects, thus positively influencing their QoL. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic literature review, to employ web-based interventions to improve the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors, and to assess the quality of research articles. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines to compile literature on the influence of web-based interventions on the PA activity and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CEPS) were searched up until July 2020. Additionally, the researchers manually searched for journal articles referenced in the collected literature. Literature quality assessment and data extraction were performed by 3 researchers individually using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. RESULTS Among the 438 searched studies, 6 published between 2009 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 4 had adopted randomized controlled trial designs and 2 had employed one-group pretest–posttest designs. The collected literature exhibited risk of bias to varying degrees. The overall outcomes revealed that after 6 months of web-based interventions, participants’ performance in PA indicators improved significantly (P = .03). Additionally, a comparison conducted using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life scale revealed no significant differences between the experiment group, which received 3 months of intervention, and the control group (P = .24). However, a comparison conducted using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire indicated a significant difference in QoL indicators between groups (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Web-based interventions are conducive to improving the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Because intervention outcomes may differ based on the intervention time and the assessment tools used, more randomized controlled trial–based clinical research is required to provide suggestions for clinical practice.


10.2196/31976 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e31976
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Monica Leslie ◽  
Lee Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Bogda Koczwara ◽  
Eila K Watson ◽  
...  

Background Cancer survivors frequently report a range of unmet psychological and supportive care needs; these often continue after treatment has finished and are predictive of psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life. Web-based interventions demonstrate good efficacy in addressing these concerns and are more accessible than face-to-face interventions. Finding My Way (FMW) is a web-based, psycho-educational, and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for cancer survivors developed in Australia. Previous trials have demonstrated that FMW is acceptable, highly adhered to, and effective in reducing the impact of distress on quality of life while leading to cost savings through health resource use reduction. Objective This study aims to adapt the Australian FMW website for a UK cancer care context and then undertake a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of FMW UK against a treatment-as-usual waitlist control. Methods To an extent, our trial design replicates the existing Australian randomized controlled trial of FMW. Following a comprehensive adaptation of the web resource, we will recruit 294 participants (147 per study arm) from across clinical sites in North West England and North Wales. Participants will have been diagnosed with cancer of any type in the last 6 months, have received anticancer treatment with curative intent, be aged ≥16 years, be proficient in English, and have access to the internet and an active email address. Participants will be identified and recruited through the National Institute for Health Research clinical research network. Measures of distress, quality of life, and health economic outcomes will be collected using a self-report web-based questionnaire at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed model repeated measures analysis. Embedded semistructured qualitative interviews will probe engagement with, and experiences of using, FMW UK and suggestions for future improvements. Results The website adaptation work was completed in January 2021. A panel of cancer survivors and health care professionals provided feedback on the test version of FMW UK. Feedback was positive overall, although minor updates were made to website navigation, inclusivity, terminology, and the wording of the Improving Communication and Sexuality and Intimacy content. Recruitment for the clinical trial commenced in April 2021. We aim to report on findings from mid-2023. Conclusions Replication studies are an important aspect of the scientific process, particularly in psychological and clinical trial literature, especially in different geographical settings. Before replicating the FMW trial in the UK setting, content updating was required. If FMW UK now replicates Australian findings, we will have identified a novel and cost-effective method of psychosocial care delivery for cancer survivors in the United Kingdom. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 14317248; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14317248 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/31976


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Monica Leslie ◽  
Lee Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Bogda Koczwara ◽  
Eila K Watson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Cancer survivors frequently report a range of unmet psychological and supportive care needs; these often continue after treatment has finished and are predictive of psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life. Web-based interventions demonstrate good efficacy in addressing these concerns and are more accessible than face-to-face interventions. <i>Finding My Way</i> (FMW) is a web-based, psycho-educational, and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for cancer survivors developed in Australia. Previous trials have demonstrated that <i>FMW</i> is acceptable, highly adhered to, and effective in reducing the impact of distress on quality of life while leading to cost savings through health resource use reduction. OBJECTIVE This study aims to adapt the Australian <i>FMW</i> website for a UK cancer care context and then undertake a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of <i>FMW UK</i> against a treatment-as-usual waitlist control. METHODS To an extent, our trial design replicates the existing Australian randomized controlled trial of <i>FMW.</i> Following a comprehensive adaptation of the web resource, we will recruit 294 participants (147 per study arm) from across clinical sites in North West England and North Wales. Participants will have been diagnosed with cancer of any type in the last 6 months, have received anticancer treatment with curative intent, be aged ≥16 years, be proficient in English, and have access to the internet and an active email address. Participants will be identified and recruited through the National Institute for Health Research clinical research network. Measures of distress, quality of life, and health economic outcomes will be collected using a self-report web-based questionnaire at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed model repeated measures analysis. Embedded semistructured qualitative interviews will probe engagement with, and experiences of using, <i>FMW UK</i> and suggestions for future improvements<i>.</i> RESULTS The website adaptation work was completed in January 2021. A panel of cancer survivors and health care professionals provided feedback on the test version of <i>FMW UK.</i> Feedback was positive overall, although minor updates were made to website navigation, inclusivity, terminology, and the wording of the <i>Improving Communication</i> and <i>Sexuality and Intimacy</i> content. Recruitment for the clinical trial commenced in April 2021. We aim to report on findings from mid-2023. CONCLUSIONS Replication studies are an important aspect of the scientific process, particularly in psychological and clinical trial literature, especially in different geographical settings. Before replicating the <i>FMW</i> trial in the UK setting, content updating was required. If <i>FMW UK</i> now replicates Australian findings, we will have identified a novel and cost-effective method of psychosocial care delivery for cancer survivors in the United Kingdom. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 14317248; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14317248 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/31976


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