A guided internet-delivered psychosocial intervention for women treated for gynecological cancer: a randomized crossover waiting list controlled trial. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Background: The number of gynecological cancer survivors is increasing. Cancer survivors also live longer, often with long-term somatic and psychosocial late effects and challenges. Interventions to support adapting to life after illness, is thus paramount. One scalable method for including psychosocial interventions in the follow up for cancer survivors are guided internet-delivered interventions OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a guided psychosocial internet-delivered intervention for women treated for gynecological cancer. This included the participants’ evaluations of the program and the preliminary effects on quality of life and depression. METHODS Method: The intervention was evaluated in a randomized crossover waiting list controlled trial. RESULTS Results: A total of 70 women was included in the trial. The findings show that the program was highly used, accepted and perceived as helpful on important psychosocial areas such as coping, emotional support, understanding and communication with others. Positive effects on quality of life were identified and significant, however, limited effects were noted on measurers related to distress, quality of life and impact of cancer. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: This guided internet-delivered intervention was well-received and feasible for women following primary treatment for gynecological cancer. Positive, but limited effects on quality of life were identified. The intervention should be tested in a larger group of women and other questionnaires focusing on health literacy, self-efficacy and/or empowerment are suggested. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov (9612)