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Reimagine: a randomized controlled trial of an online, symptom self-management curriculum among breast cancer survivors

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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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the breast cancer survivors who participated in this study. Recruitment was facilitated by the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.

Funding

Trial (NCT02465892) was funded by Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning & Change (#16218019).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University School of Nursing, Box 3322, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    S. K. Smith, S. Amarasekara, W. Pan & M. Hockenberry

  2. Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    S. K. Smith & M. Hockenberry

  3. The MacDermott Method, Inc., 345 N. Maple Drive, Suite 208, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, USA

    K. MacDermott

  4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    D. Mayer

Authors
  1. S. K. Smith
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  2. K. MacDermott
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  3. S. Amarasekara
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  4. W. Pan
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  5. D. Mayer
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  6. M. Hockenberry
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Contributions

Sophia Smith: Conceptualization, funding acquisition, software, project administration, data analysis, and writing—original draft, and writing—review and editing. Kristin MacDermott: Conceptualization, funding acquisition, software, and writing—review and editing. Wei Pan: Data analysis and writing—review and editing. Sathya Amarasekara: Data analysis and writing—review and editing. Marilyn Hockenberry: writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. K. Smith.

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Conflict of interest

All authors received support from money paid to Duke University as part of the Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning and Change award. The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Author names: S.K. Smith, PhD MSW; S. Amarasekara, MS; W. Pan, PhD; D. Mayer, PhD; M. Hockenberry, PhD

Ms. Kristin MacDermott, LMFT reports the following details of affiliation or involvement in an organization or entity with a financial or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript: Board membership and Employment by Pillars4Life, Inc.

Additional information

Depression and fatigue are common effects resulting from the breast cancer experience. Results indicate that an online symptom self-management curriculum, Reimagine, has an effect on these key outcomes, but future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed.

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Smith, S.K., MacDermott, K., Amarasekara, S. et al. Reimagine: a randomized controlled trial of an online, symptom self-management curriculum among breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 27, 1775–1781 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4431-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4431-7

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