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A randomised pilot of a self-help workbook intervention for breast cancer survivors

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 18, pages 1597–1603 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a self-help workbook for improving adjustment for breast cancer survivors.

Methods

An RCT compared the workbook (n = 20) with no-workbook controls (n = 20). Coping, traumatic stress and quality of life were measured at baseline, then 3 and 6 months later.

Results

No interactions were found. A significant group main effect was found for venting coping; controls used less venting coping than workbook participants (p = 0.034). A significant time main effect was obtained for cognitive functioning (p = 0.003). Reliable change indices showed a trend towards a protective effect across all coping measures for workbook participants compared to controls. Qualitative feedback suggested that participants felt well supported by the intervention, but would have preferred receiving it during treatment.

Conclusions

While trends showed some promise for improving coping, endorsement for the workbook was not obtained. The difficulties encountered in recruiting survivors and the resulting implications regarding the feasibility of offering self-help resources to this population are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Clinical Trials Nurse Alison Richards and staff at Flinders Medical Centre Department of Medical Oncology for your assistance with recruitment. Thank you also to all the women who participated in this study. This project was supported by the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation ‘Blokes for Breast Cancer’ grant. Lisa Beatty was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation Helen Wrigley Award. This trial is registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

Presented at the 42nd Australian Psychological Society annual conference, Brisbane, Australia, 25–29 September 2007; and the 34th Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, November 14–16 2007.

Conflict of interest

The authors do not have a financial relationship with the organisation that sponsored this research. The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review our data if requested.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Lisa Beatty, Melissa Oxlad & Tracey D. Wade

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Bogda Koczwara

Authors
  1. Lisa Beatty
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  2. Melissa Oxlad
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  3. Bogda Koczwara
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  4. Tracey D. Wade
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa Beatty.

Additional information

Submitted to: Supportive Care in Cancer

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Beatty, L., Oxlad, M., Koczwara, B. et al. A randomised pilot of a self-help workbook intervention for breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 18, 1597–1603 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0962-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0962-2

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Psychosocial adjustment
  • Self-help workbook
  • Survivorship