1. Reimagine: a randomized controlled trial of an online, symptom self-management curriculum among breast cancer survivors.
- Author
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Smith, S. K., MacDermott, K., Amarasekara, S., Pan, W., Mayer, D., and Hockenberry, M.
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RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *HOT flashes , *CANCER fatigue , *BREAST cancer , *CANCER patients , *CHRONIC pain , *WORKS councils , *BREAST tumor treatment , *BREAST tumors , *ADAPTABILITY (Personality) , *ALTERNATIVE education , *COMPARATIVE studies , *CURRICULUM , *FATIGUE (Physiology) , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *PALLIATIVE treatment , *PATIENT education , *QUALITY of life , *RESEARCH , *RESEARCH funding , *EVALUATION research , *THERAPEUTICS , *CANCER & psychology - Abstract
Purpose: Chronic pain, depression, and fatigue are common effects resulting from the cancer experience; new interventions are needed. This study examined the effect of Reimagine, an online symptom self-management curriculum that teaches coping skills, on key outcomes.Methods: Adult breast cancer survivors with chronic pain were recruited from the Army of Women volunteer registry for this randomized controlled trial and randomized 1:1 to Reimagine or usual care conditions. Electronic surveys collected demographic, clinical, and outcome data at baseline and 18 weeks post-intervention.Results: Participants (N = 89) were mean age 56.7 ± 8.7 years; 67% married; 58% employed; mean years since diagnosis 8.2 ± 6.6; and 89% were in remission or cured of their breast cancer. There was a significant difference in the change in depression scores for treatment (M = - 1.7, SD = 4.5) and usual care (M = 0.3, SD = 3.8) conditions; t(85) = - 2.3, p = .03. Difference in the change in fatigue scores was significant for treatment (M = 4.8, SD = 9.0) and usual care (M = 1.2, SD = 6.6) conditions; t(87) = 2.2, p = .03. Most Reimagine users (94%) would recommend the curriculum to others.Conclusions: These results suggest that Reimagine has an effect on depression and fatigue symptoms for breast cancer survivors. Online programs can be a feasible and effective alternative to in-person support. Additional research is recommended with larger and more diverse samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2019
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