Carly Sears, Fay Strohschein, Scott Patten, Andrea Feldstain, Jessica Simon, Janet de Groot
{"title":"Exploring Patient-Related Contextual Factors and Personal Reflections About the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) Intervention for Adults With Advanced Cancer in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Southern Alberta: A Mixed Methods Study.","authors":"Carly Sears, Fay Strohschein, Scott Patten, Andrea Feldstain, Jessica Simon, Janet de Groot","doi":"10.1002/pon.70067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The evidence-based Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) psychotherapeutic intervention was designed to address the complex needs of those with advanced cancer. Ample evidence supports the efficacy of CALM therapy; less is known about the patient-specific factors that influence initiation and continuation of CALM sessions.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To gain understanding of patient-specific factors and referral routes that influence initiation and continuation of CALM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An Interpretive Description framework and concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design was used to analyse baseline patient-specific variables for prediction of engagement (number of sessions) in CALM following recruitment from cancer centres, palliative care services, and community cancer care organisations across Southern Alberta, Canada. Patient input (n = 10) occurred through semi-structured interviews exploring experiences with advanced cancer, CALM referral and engagement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among consented individuals (n = 69), those directly referred by healthcare providers (HCPs) and self-referred (total n = 32), engaged in more CALM sessions (M = 4.97, SD = 3.51) than those referred indirectly (M = 3.19, SD = 2.26, p < 0.05), particularly younger participants (< 65 years) and those with longer life expectancy (> 10 months). Participants chose CALM based on experiences of distress, wanting to talk openly, and expecting benefit.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Greater patient engagement in the CALM intervention following HCPs' direct referrals may be based on trust in the HCP-patient relationship, and accurately prognosticating sufficient physical well-being for participation and benefit. Future health systems research may evaluate systematic programing with offering CALM referrals following an advanced cancer diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70067"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11707499/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142953560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sylvie Lambert, Erica E M Moodie, Jane McCusker, Marion Lokhorst, Cheryl Harris, Tori Langmuir, Eric Belzile, Andrea Maria Laizner, Lydia Ould Brahim, Sydney Wasserman, Sarah Chehayeb, Michael Vickers, Lindsay Duncan, Mary Jane Esplen, Christine Maheu, Doris Howell, Manon de Raad
{"title":"Translating Evidence-Based Self-Management Interventions Using a Stepped-Care Approach for Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Design.","authors":"Sylvie Lambert, Erica E M Moodie, Jane McCusker, Marion Lokhorst, Cheryl Harris, Tori Langmuir, Eric Belzile, Andrea Maria Laizner, Lydia Ould Brahim, Sydney Wasserman, Sarah Chehayeb, Michael Vickers, Lindsay Duncan, Mary Jane Esplen, Christine Maheu, Doris Howell, Manon de Raad","doi":"10.1002/pon.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Self-directed interventions are cost-effective for patients with cancer and their family caregivers, but barriers to use can compromise adherence and efficacy.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Pilot a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop a time-varying dyadic self-management intervention that follows a stepped-care approach in providing different types of guidance to optimize the delivery of Coping-Together, a dyadic self-directed self-management intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>48 patients with cancer and their caregivers were randomized in Stage 1 to: (a) Coping-Together (included a workbook and 6 booklets) or (b) Coping-Together + lay telephone guidance. At 6 weeks, change in distress level was assessed, and non-responding dyads were re-randomized in Stage 2 to (a) continue with their Stage 1 intervention or (b) be stepped-up. Benchmarks for acceptability, feasibility, and clinical significance (anxiety and quality of life (QOL)) were assessed via surveys and study logs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Feasibility was supported by a low refusal rate at ≤ 30% and < 10% missing data. Men and women were enrolled in at least a 40:60 ratio for caregivers, but less for patients. Recruitment was slow at 1 dyad/week. Acceptability was supported by a low attrition rate (12.5%) and with 87% of participants finding the booklets helpful. Telephone guidance in Stage 1 increased adherence to Coping-Together; however, in Stage 1, participants benefited more from the self-directed format than the guidance. All patients who were stepped-up in Stage 2 benefited from their new assignment; this trend was less clear for caregivers.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>Findings suggest a 3-step approach to dyadic self-management support that warrants further testing.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Trials Registration #: NCT04255030.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70043"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11704335/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142953928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica M Page, Alicia K Morgans, Michael J Hassett, Ellana Haakenstad, Michael Manni, Nadine J McCleary, Eric S Zhou
{"title":"Insomnia Prevalence and Correlates in Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment.","authors":"Jessica M Page, Alicia K Morgans, Michael J Hassett, Ellana Haakenstad, Michael Manni, Nadine J McCleary, Eric S Zhou","doi":"10.1002/pon.70079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Insomnia is the most common sleep disturbance among cancer patients undergoing active treatment. If untreated, it is associated with significant physical and psychological health consequences. Prior efforts to determine insomnia prevalence and correlates have primarily assessed patients in clinical trials, in limited disease groups, and excluding important patient subgroups. These findings are likely to be influenced by research participation effects, which could bias outcomes. We sought to address these limitations in a large, real-world sample.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2018 and 2021, all patients seen at our institution were offered an electronic patient-reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaire where they could self-report on a range of symptoms based on the National Cancer Institute's PRO-CTCAE. Medical records were abstracted for demographics and cancer diagnosis/treatment. We evaluated N = 9350 patients for whom there was complete data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During cancer treatment, 21% of patients reported insomnia symptoms. Demographically, prevalence was higher in patients who were female (22% vs. 19%), younger than 60 years of age (22% vs. 20%), non-White (24% vs. 20%), and on public insurance (22% vs. 20%). Medically, patients undergoing palliative treatment were more likely to report insomnia symptoms, irrespective of cancer site (23% vs. 19%). The prevalence of insomnia symptoms ranged from 18% (genitourinary) to 23% (gastrointestinal).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>More than 1 in 5 cancer patients suffer from symptoms of insomnia. It is important that oncologists and cancer centers routinely assess insomnia severity in their patients. Leveraging the use of existing patient-reported outcomes at an institution may be important to help with the identification of insomnia symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70079"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142971095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cindy Tofthagen, Kristine A Donovan, Jay Mandrekar, Harleah G Buck
{"title":"Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Cancer Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Results of a Pilot Study.","authors":"Cindy Tofthagen, Kristine A Donovan, Jay Mandrekar, Harleah G Buck","doi":"10.1002/pon.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>An estimated one-third of cancer survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. PTS is associated with high levels of cancer distress, anxiety, and depression. Few evidence-based treatments are available for PTS. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a form of trauma-focused psychological therapy that has been found to be both safe and effective at alleviating post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychological distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms in non-cancer populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The purpose of this single arm, pilot study was to examine the preliminary efficacy of ART for alleviating post-traumatic stress symptoms, cancer distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety among cancer survivors, as well as to evaluate baseline characteristics of persons most likely to respond to ART. Participants were provided with five ART sessions and outcome variables were assessed at enrollment, immediately following ART, and 30 days post ART. Paired t-tests were used to examine differences between scores at each time point. Associations between the PCL-5 score from baseline to post 30-day visit were assessed and other variables were examined using univariate linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In a sample of 20 cancer survivors, statistically significant decreases in PTS symptoms (p < 0.0001), cancer distress (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p = 0.0002), and depression (p < 0.0001) from pre to post intervention were present. These improvements remained 30 days post-intervention. Higher baseline PCL-5 scores, as well as higher scores on two subscales of the cancer distress measure were associated with response to treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings suggest that ART is an effective therapeutic intervention for reducing PTS symptoms and cancer distress among cancer survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70058"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143190275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karena Leo, Shelby L Langer, Hannah McDaniel, Brian R W Baucom, Francis Keefe, Katherine Ramos, Daniel J Lee, Laura S Porter
{"title":"Parenting Concerns, Psychological Distress, and Relationship Adjustment Among Patients With Cancer and Their Partners: A Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Karena Leo, Shelby L Langer, Hannah McDaniel, Brian R W Baucom, Francis Keefe, Katherine Ramos, Daniel J Lee, Laura S Porter","doi":"10.1002/pon.70057","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Studies have found that cancer patients with dependent children exhibit high symptoms of anxiety, depression, and worry. Patients' parenting concerns can negatively impact their own and their family's adjustment to the cancer experience. However, relatively little is known about parenting concerns of partners of cancer patients, or associations between parenting concerns and couples' relationship adjustment. This longitudinal study investigated parenting concerns among both patients and partners, and their associations with psychological and relationship adjustment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred thirty-four patients with cancer and their partners (67 couples) completed the Parenting Concerns Questionnaire at baseline and measures of psychological distress, communication, and relationship adjustment at four time points (baseline, 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow up).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline parenting concerns did not differ by role, gender, cancer site or cancer stage (p > 0.05). Patients and partners who reported higher levels of parenting concerns at baseline reported significantly greater psychological distress and poorer communication concurrently and at each subsequent assessment. There were no significant associations between parenting concerns and relationship satisfaction either concurrently or over time.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings reinforce the need for a dyadic perspective to assessing both patients' and partners' parenting concerns and a focus on processes such as communication as an avenue for managing and processing parenting concerns.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70057"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11892281/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142984614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Global Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Cancer Survivors: A Meta-Analysis From 31 Countries.","authors":"Meng-Wei Ge, Jun Sheng, Lu-Ting Shen, Fei-Hong Hu, Yi-Jie Jia, Attiq Ur-Rehman, Wei Li, Jian-Zeng Lan, Peng Liu, Hong-Lin Chen","doi":"10.1002/pon.70077","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>With the improvement of medical treatment, the survival rate of cancer patients continues to rise; however, their psychological issues require further management. Currently, there is uncertainty regarding the prevalence of mental health problems among cancer survivors.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To quantitatively summarize the global prevalence of mental health problems in cancer survivors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched CINAHL, PsychlNFO, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed for studies reporting the prevalence of various mental health problems in cancer survivors who have survived at least 3 months. Subsequently, stratified analyses were conducted based on study design, region, cancer system, and time since diagnosis. Moreover, meta-regression was utilized to investigate sources of heterogeneity. We used Rstudio software 4.3.0, Stata 17.0 software and metaprop package.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 147 studies involving 135,015 cancer survivors from over 30 countries were identified, primarily focusing on six mental health problems. Among 78 studies addressing anxiety, the prevalence was 24.4% (95% CI: 20.2%-28.8%). Among the 96 studies on depression, the prevalence was 23.7% (95% CI: 20.1%-27.4%). In the case of sleep disorders, 42 studies reported a prevalence of 34.1% (95% CI: 27.9%-40.6%). The overall prevalence decreased over time since diagnosis. Most of the analyzed data exhibited significant heterogeneity (I<sup>2</sup> > 75%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The analysis indicated that cancer survivors experience a diverse range of mental health problems, which were prevalent among them. The results emphasized the importance of recognizing and treating mental health problems in cancer survivors and served as a reminder for healthcare workers to address mental health problems in this population. The registration number was CRD42023466209.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70077"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142953684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isabella Giulia Franzoi, Maria Domenica Sauta, Michela Bonafede, Giulia Francioso, Alessandra De Luca, Francesca Barbagli, Antonella Granieri
{"title":"Psychological Distress in Patients With Asbestos-Related Diseases and Their Families: A Systematic Literature Review.","authors":"Isabella Giulia Franzoi, Maria Domenica Sauta, Michela Bonafede, Giulia Francioso, Alessandra De Luca, Francesca Barbagli, Antonella Granieri","doi":"10.1002/pon.70051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is currently recognized as one of the leading causes of work-related deaths, with more than half of deaths attributable to cancer.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>The aim of this systematic literature review was to investigate the mental health and psychological distress of patients affected by asbestos-related diseases and their caregivers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The studies were identified in October 2023 by searching four electronic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and PsycInfo/PsycArtcicles. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI checklist.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen articles were identified. The studies focused exclusively on the psychological distress of patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM) and their caregivers. MM appears to have traumatic effects on both patients and caregivers, who may experience anxiety and depression, an impoverished emotional life, somatization, social withdrawal, and a deterioration in their quality of life. In addition, a need for information about MM, its progression and associated care tasks was identified, and patients and caregivers reported frequently seeking information from online sources.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our review has shown that there are still few studies addressing psychological distress in MM patients and their caregivers, and none addressing distress in the context of other asbestos-related diseases. The somatopsychic consequences of MM in patients and caregivers should encourage institutions and health professionals to develop assessment and intervention models that are tailored to the specific suffering and needs of MM patients and their caregivers and promote their residual vitality.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70051"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11707407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142953858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zev M Nakamura, Allison M Deal, Justin M Yopp, Alexis C Wardell, Michelle Manning, Phoebe Pak, Anna Cassidy, Laura C Hanson, Ahrang Jung, Mi-Kyung Song, Carmina G Valle, Cole Walker, Hannah Won, Eliza M Park, Donald L Rosenstein
{"title":"A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Families Addressing Cancer Together for Parents With Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects.","authors":"Zev M Nakamura, Allison M Deal, Justin M Yopp, Alexis C Wardell, Michelle Manning, Phoebe Pak, Anna Cassidy, Laura C Hanson, Ahrang Jung, Mi-Kyung Song, Carmina G Valle, Cole Walker, Hannah Won, Eliza M Park, Donald L Rosenstein","doi":"10.1002/pon.70072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web-based, individually tailored, psychoeducational intervention for parents with cancer to improve illness-related communication with their minor children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Parents with stage I-IV solid tumors who had children ages 3-17 were randomized to 6 weeks of FACT versus waitlist control. Feasibility was assessed by rates of recruitment and retention. Acceptability (primary outcome) was defined a priori as ≥ 75% of FACT participants rating FACT ≥ 12 (on an 18-point study-specific scale), and semi-structured interviews provided additional qualitative acceptability information. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to assess preliminary efficacy for communication self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety; Fisher's exact tests explored differences in individual communication beliefs and behaviors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-eight approached patients enrolled (recruitment rate: 73%), 85% were retained through the post-intervention assessment, and 78% rated FACT as acceptable. In the FACT group compared to control, the modeled improvement in CSES scores from baseline to post-intervention was 9.5 versus 0 points (p = 0.004). FACT participants were more likely to have told their children that they have cancer (83.3% vs. 52.2%, p = 0.03) and felt more prepared to answer their children's questions about cancer (p = 0.02). Groups did not differ in depression or anxiety.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>FACT was feasible, acceptable, and demonstrated potential to improve parents' communication self-efficacy, beliefs, and behaviors. A large scale randomized controlled trial of FACT is needed to confirm these benefits and evaluate longer-term effects on psychological outcomes for parents with cancer and their children.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70072"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11877646/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143557829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliet L Kroll, Morgan Jones, Sujin Ann-Yi, Mariana Chavez-MacGregor, Eduardo Bruera, Kathrin Milbury
{"title":"Parenting and Family Concerns of Couples Navigating Advanced Breast Cancer: Exploring Discussions Around Parenting Challenges and Targets for Intervention.","authors":"Juliet L Kroll, Morgan Jones, Sujin Ann-Yi, Mariana Chavez-MacGregor, Eduardo Bruera, Kathrin Milbury","doi":"10.1002/pon.70069","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parents with advanced cancer and their partners are more likely to experience psychological distress than their counterparts without minor children. Greater relationship functioning may support parents in distress.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>The current study seeks to explore couples' cancer-related parenting communication behaviors, perception and their associations with psychological and relational wellbeing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Women diagnosed with an advanced breast cancer (Stage III-IV) and their partners (n = 46 dyads) parenting a minor child reported psychological symptoms (CES-D, GAD-7), relational wellbeing (DAS-7) and cancer-related parenting concerns (PCQ, patient only). As part of an observational task, couples completed a Family Concern Inventory (FCI) to identify cancer-related family concerns. Then, each member selected one concern to discuss. Immediately after the discussion, participants rated their perception of the discussion and their state positive and negative affect.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Parents (mean age = 43.4 years, 56% non-Hispanic White, two female couples) endorsed high psychological distress, with patients reporting greater family concerns than partners (t = 3.80, p < 0.001). Both members of the couple indicated high levels of self-disclosure and felt validated and accepted by their partners during the discussion. Yet, patients rated the discussion as more helpful than partners (t = 2.3, p = 0.03). There was a small reduction in positive affect following discussion for partners only. However, the more partners disclosed their emotions, the greater their post-discussion positive affect (r = 0.50, p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Couples' ability to openly communicate around cancer-related parenting concerns is associated with aspects of psychological adjustment. Findings identify targets and underscore importance of flexibility for future interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70069"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11717733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142953685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tenaw Gualu Melesse, William Ho Cheung Li, Janita Pak Chun Chau, Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer, Abdulkadir Mohamedsaid Gidey, Sewbesew Yitayih
{"title":"Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Children With Hematological Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Tenaw Gualu Melesse, William Ho Cheung Li, Janita Pak Chun Chau, Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer, Abdulkadir Mohamedsaid Gidey, Sewbesew Yitayih","doi":"10.1002/pon.70086","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBI) has shown positive effects in improving psychological and health-related outcomes in children with cancer. However, no evidence has been found in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CBI on anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL) in Ethiopian children with hematological cancer receiving chemotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A parallel, two-armed, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted among 76 children randomized (1:1) to receive CBI or usual medical care. The intervention group received five weekly face-to-face CBI sessions of 30-40 min each, which included an introduction to CBI; identifying and challenging maladaptive thoughts, beliefs and behavior; behavior activation; deep breathing exercises; and treatment evaluation and relapse prevention. The outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1) and 1 month post-intervention (T2).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores from T0 at T1 (β = -6.67, 95% CI [-9.16, -4.19], p < 0.001) and T2 (β = -8.14, 95% CI [-10.70, -5.57], p < 0.001), depression at T1 (β = -4.09, 95% CI [-6.94, -1.23], p = 0.005) and T2 (β = -6.12, 95% CI [-9.10, -3.13], p < 0.001) and improvement in QoL at T2 (β = 3.02, 95% CI [0.49, 5.56], p = 0.019) compared with the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CBI has positive effects in reducing anxiety and depression and in improving QoL in children with hematological cancer receiving chemotherapy. The results suggest the need to incorporate CBI into pediatric hematology-oncology and studies on its long-term effects and cost-effectiveness are warranted.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05270655). Registered on 08 March 2022.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 1","pages":"e70086"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11743426/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143010579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}