- Title
- A parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of a multimedia, self-directed, coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their partners: design and rationale
- Creator
- Lambert, Sylvie D.; Girgis, Afaf; McElduff, Patrick; Turner, Jane; Levesque, Janelle V.; Kayser, Karen; Mihalopoulos, Cathrine; Shih, Sophy T. F.; Barker, Daniel
- Relation
- NHMRC.APP1002715. & NHMRC APP1012869
- Relation
- BMJ Open Vol. 3
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003337
- Publisher
- BMJ Group
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2013
- Description
- Introduction: Coping skills training interventions have been found to be efficacious in helping both patients and their partners manage the physical and emotional challenges they face following a cancer diagnosis. However, many of these interventions are costly and not sustainable. To overcome these issues, a self-directed format is increasingly used. The efficacy of self-directed interventions for patients has been supported; however, no study has reported on the outcomes for their partners. This study will test the efficacy of Coping-Together—a multimedia, self-directed, coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their partners. Methods and analysis: The proposed three-group, parallel, randomised controlled trial will recruit patients diagnosed in the past 4 months with breast, prostate, colorectal cancer or melanoma through their treating clinician. Patients and their partners will be randomised to (1) a minimal ethical care (MEC) condition—selected Cancer Council New South Wales booklets and a brochure for the Cancer Council Helpline, (2) Coping-Together generic—MEC materials, the six Coping-Together booklets and DVD, the Cancer Council Queensland relaxation audio CD and login to the Coping-Together website or (3) Coping-Together tailored—MEC materials, the Coping-Together DVD, the login to the website and only those Coping-Together booklet sections that pertain to their direct concerns. Anxiety (primary outcome), distress, depression, dyadic adjustment, quality of life, illness or caregiving appraisal, self-efficacy and dyadic and individual coping will be assessed before receiving the study material (ie, baseline) and again at 3, 6 and 12 months postbaseline. Intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis will be conducted. Ethics and dissemination: This study has been approved by the relevant local area health and University ethics committees. Study findings will be disseminated not only through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations but also through educational outreach visits, publication of lay research summaries in consumer newsletters and publications targeting clinicians.
- Subject
- mental health; public health; statistics & research methods
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1054274
- Identifier
- uon:15729
- Identifier
- ISSN:2044-6055
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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