Phase II trial of a depression self‐care intervention for adult cancer survivors

• Published in: European journal of cancer care Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. e12763 - n/a
• Main Authors: McCusker, Jane, Yaffe, Mark, Faria, Rosana, Lambert, Sylvie, Li, Madeline, Poirier‐Bisson, Joannie, Magalhaes, Mona, Raad, Manon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adult; Cancer; Cancer Survivors - psychology; cancer survivorship; Clinical trials; Cognitive Therapy - methods; depression; Depression - psychology; Depression - therapy; Digital media; Disease management; feasibility; Feasibility Studies; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Intervention; Male; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Health Questionnaire; Patients; Program Development; Recruitment; Self Care - methods; self‐care; self‐management; Survivor; Telephone; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonic testing; feasibility; cancer survivorship; depression; intervention; self-management; self-care
• ISSN: 0961-5423; 1365-2354; 1365-2354
• DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12763

Supported self‐care interventions are a low‐intensity treatment for depression that has received little research attention in the cancer population. This is a phase II intervention only study to test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a depression self‐care intervention for cancer patients who have completed their primary treatment and have moderate depressive symptoms. The self‐care intervention was adapted from a successful model for people with chronic physical conditions, following focus groups with cancer care professionals and patients. The support was delivered by telephone by a trained lay coach who provided up to 8 weekly coaching contacts. A variety of recruitment methods were tested; those with the highest yield of eligible subjects per research staff time were electronic mailings to community support group members and social media posting. Sixty‐eight people were contacted about the study over an 11‐month period, of whom 34 (49%) were eligible; 32 were enrolled (94% recruitment rate); and 25 completed 2‐month follow‐up (78% retention). The mean severity of PHQ‐9 depression decreased significantly from screening to 2 months (12.8 to 7.0, p < .0001). The intervention is a promising treatment option for cancer survivors, demonstrating sufficient effectiveness and feasibility to proceed with a phase III clinical trial.