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Effects of a Multiple Health Behavior Change Intervention for Colorectal Cancer Survivors on Psychosocial Outcomes and Quality of Life: a Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Multiple health behavior change can ameliorate adverse effects of cancer.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a multiple health behavior change intervention (CanChange) for colorectal cancer survivors on psychosocial outcomes and quality of life.

Methods

A total of 410 colorectal cancer survivors were randomized to a 6-month telephone-based health coaching intervention (11 sessions using acceptance and commitment therapy strategies focusing on physical activity, weight management, diet, alcohol, and smoking) or usual care. Posttraumatic growth, spirituality, acceptance, mindfulness, distress, and quality of life were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Results

Significant intervention effects were observed for posttraumatic growth at 6 (7.5, p < 0.001) and 12 months (4.1, p = 0.033), spirituality at 6 months (1.8, p = 0.011), acceptance at 6 months (0.2, p = 0.005), and quality of life at 6 (0.8, p = 0.049) and 12 months (0.9, p = 0.037).

Conclusions

The intervention improved psychosocial outcomes and quality of life (physical well-being) at 6 months with most effects still present at 12 months. (Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12608000399392).

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Acknowledgments

This research received funding from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. The authors thank our study investigators A/Prof. Peter Baade, Prof. Joanne Aitken, Dr. Brigid Lynch, Dr. Maree Colosimo, Dr. Victoria White, and Mrs Muriel Wulff, as well as our study team (Mrs Rhianna Hardie, Mrs Susan Bell, Mrs Bernice Kelly, Mrs Sarah Mitchell, and Ms Marnie Dunn).

Authors’ Statement of Conflict of Interest and Adherence to Ethical Standards

Authors Hawkes, Pakenham, Chambers, Patrao, and Courneya declare that they have no conflict of interest. All procedures, including the informed consent process, were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland, 4059, Australia

    Anna L. Hawkes PhD

  2. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia

    Anna L. Hawkes PhD

  3. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Kenneth I. Pakenham PhD

  4. Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

    Suzanne K. Chambers PhD

  5. Menzies School of Health Research, Brisbane, Australia

    Tania A. Patrao MIPH

  6. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya PhD

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  1. Anna L. Hawkes PhD
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  2. Kenneth I. Pakenham PhD
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  3. Suzanne K. Chambers PhD
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  4. Tania A. Patrao MIPH
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  5. Kerry S. Courneya PhD
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Correspondence to Anna L. Hawkes PhD.

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Hawkes, A.L., Pakenham, K.I., Chambers, S.K. et al. Effects of a Multiple Health Behavior Change Intervention for Colorectal Cancer Survivors on Psychosocial Outcomes and Quality of Life: a Randomized Controlled Trial. ann. behav. med. 48, 359–370 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9610-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9610-2

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