| 1. |
- Demmelmaier, Ingrid, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
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Does exercise intensity matter for fatigue during (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment? The Phys-Can randomized clinical trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - : Wiley. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 31:5, s. 1144-1159
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exercise during cancer treatment improves cancer-related fatigue (CRF), but the importance of exercise intensity for CRF is unclear. We compared the effects of high- vs low-to-moderate-intensity exercise with or without additional behavior change support (BCS) on CRF in patients undergoing (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment. This was a multicenter, 2x2 factorial design randomized controlled trial (Clinical Trials NCT02473003) in Sweden. Participants recently diagnosed with breast (n = 457), prostate (n = 97) or colorectal (n = 23) cancer undergoing (neo-)adjuvant treatment were randomized to high intensity (n = 144), low-to-moderate intensity (n = 144), high intensity with BCS (n = 144) or low-to-moderate intensity with BCS (n = 145). The 6-month exercise intervention included supervised resistance training and home-based endurance training. CRF was assessed by Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI, five subscales score range 4-20), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-F, score range 0-52). Multiple linear regression for main factorial effects was performed according to intention-to-treat, with post-intervention CRF as primary endpoint. Overall, 577 participants (mean age 58.7 years) were randomized. Participants randomized to high- vs low-to-moderate-intensity exercise had lower physical fatigue (MFI Physical Fatigue subscale; mean difference −1.05 [95% CI: −1.85, −0.25]), but the difference was not clinically important (ie <2). We found no differences in other CRF dimensions and no effect of additional BCS. There were few minor adverse events. For CRF, patients undergoing (neo-)adjuvant treatment for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer can safely exercise at high- or low-to-moderate intensity, according to their own preferences. Additional BCS does not provide extra benefit for CRF in supervised, well-controlled exercise interventions.
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| 2. |
- Igelström, Helena, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term effects on depression and anxiety of an internet-based stepped care intervention for patients with cancer and symptoms of depression and anxiety : The U-CARE AdultCan trial
- 2023
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier. - 2214-7829. ; 32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cancer is a serious disease that commonly causes significant psychological distress. The internet-based intervention (iCAN-DO), utilizing a stepped care approach for the treatment of anxiety and depression in individuals with cancer, has been shown to have favorable results for symptoms of depression at the primary endpoint, 10 months after randomization compared to standard care (SC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of the intervention 18 and 24 months after randomization.METHODS: Patients with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer and a score > 7 on either of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) subscales (n = 245) were recruited to the study in conjunction with a regular hospital visit. They were randomized to access to the stepwise iCAN-DO intervention for 24 months or to SC. Step 1 of the intervention comprised psycho-educative online material. In Step 2, internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy with individual online support from a therapist was added. Step 2 was offered to those who reported persistent anxiety or depression symptoms (>7 on HADS), also at 1, 4, and/or 7 months after randomization. Missing data were imputed using the last rank carried forward method and used for the main analyses according to the intention-to-treat approach. Effects sizes (Cohen's d), and minimally clinically important difference (MCID) were calculated. Linear mixed models were used to analyze intervention effects over time.RESULTS: Symptoms of depression decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the iCAN-DO group compared with the SC group from baseline to 18 months (d = 0.29), but not to 24 months (d = 0.27). Even though the average iCAN-DO group participant surpassed a MCID in symptoms of anxiety (>2 p) at both long-term follow-ups, the differences did not reach statistical significance, either at 18 months (p = 0.10) or 24 months (p = 0.09). Positive effects of iCAN-DO compared with the SC were also shown for some secondary HRQoL-outcomes; social functioning at 18 months (p = 0.02) and 24 months (p = 0.001), and sleep problems at 24 months (p = 0.01).CONCLUSION: A stepped-care internet-based intervention that has previously shown positive results for symptoms of depression at 10 months did show similar positive long-term effects also at 18 months. For symptoms of anxiety, no effect could be shown. The internet may provide an effective format for interventions to reduce symptoms of depression after cancer at patients' own choice of time, regardless of distance to a psycho-oncology clinic.
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| 3. |
- Andriopoulos, Thanos, et al.
(författare)
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Commencement of and Retention in Web-Based Interventions and Response to Prompts and Reminders : Longitudinal Observational Study Based on Two Randomized Controlled Trials
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 23:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Web-based interventions are effective for several psychological problems. However, recruitment, adherence, and missing data are challenges when evaluating these interventions. Objective: This study aimed to describe the use patterns during the commencement phase, possible retention patterns (continuation of data provision), and responses to prompts and reminders among participants in 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating web-based interventions. Methods: Data on use patterns logged in 2 RCTs aiming to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression among adult patients recently diagnosed with cancer (AdultCan RCT) and patients with a recent myocardial infarction (Heart RCT) were analyzed. The web-based intervention in the AdultCan trial consisted of unguided self-help and psychoeducation and that in the Heart trial consisted of therapist-supported cognitive behavioral therapy. In total, 2360 participants' use patterns at first log-in, including data collection at baseline (ie, commencement) and at 2 follow-ups, were analyzed. Both the intervention and comparison groups were analyzed. Results: At commencement, 70.85% (909/1283) and 86.82% (935/1077) of the participants in AdultCan and Heart RCTs, respectively, logged in and completed baseline data collection after receiving a welcome email with log-in credentials. The median duration of the first log-in was 44 minutes and 38 minutes in AdultCan and Heart RCTs, respectively. Slightly less than half of the participants' first log-ins were completed outside standard office hours. More than 80% (92/114 and 103/111) of the participants in both trials explored the intervention within 2 weeks of being randomized to the treatment group, with a median duration of 7 minutes and 47 minutes in AdultCan and Heart RCTs, respectively. There was a significant association between intervention exploration time during the first 2 weeks and retention in the Heart trial but not in the AdultCan trial. However, the control group was most likely to retain and provide complete follow-up data. Across the 3 time points of data collection explored in this study, the proportion of participants responding to all questionnaires within 1 week from the prompt, without a reminder, varied between 35.45% (413/1165) and 66.3% (112/169). After 2 reminders, up to 97.6% (165/169) of the participants responded. Conclusions: Most participants in both RCTs completed the baseline questionnaires within 1 week of receiving the welcome email. Approximately half of them answered questions at baseline data collection outside office hours, suggesting that the time flexibility inherent in web-based interventions contributes to commencement and use. In contrast to what was expected, the intervention groups generally had lower completion rates than the comparison groups. About half of the participants completed the questionnaires without a reminder, but thereafter, reminders contributed to both baseline and follow-up retention, suggesting they were effective. Strategies to increase commencement of and retention in eHealth interventions are important for the future development of effective interventions and relevant research.
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| 4. |
- Berntsen, Sveinung, et al.
(författare)
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Design of a randomized controlled trial of physical training and cancer (Phys-Can) - the impact of exercise intensity on cancer related fatigue, quality of life and disease outcome
- 2017
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Ingår i: BMC Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 17:1, s. 1-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Cancer-related fatigue is a common problem in persons with cancer, influencing health-related quality of life and causing a considerable challenge to society. Current evidence supports the beneficial effects of physical exercise in reducing fatigue, but the results across studies are not consistent, especially in terms of exercise intensity. It is also unclear whether use of behaviour change techniques can further increase exercise adherence and maintain physical activity behaviour. This study will investigate whether exercise intensity affects fatigue and health related quality of life in persons undergoing adjuvant cancer treatment. In addition, to examine effects of exercise intensity on mood disturbance, adherence to oncological treatment, adverse effects from treatment, activities of daily living after treatment completion and return to work, and behaviour change techniques effect on exercise adherence. We will also investigate whether exercise intensity influences inflammatory markers and cytokines, and whether gene expressions following training serve as mediators for the effects of exercise on fatigue and health related quality of life. Methods/design: Six hundred newly diagnosed persons with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer undergoing adjuvant therapy will be randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial design to following conditions; A) individually tailored low-to-moderate intensity exercise with or without behaviour change techniques or B) individually tailored high intensity exercise with or without behaviour change techniques. The training consists of both resistance and endurance exercise sessions under the guidance of trained coaches. The primary outcomes, fatigue and health related quality of life, are measured by self-reports. Secondary outcomes include fitness, mood disturbance, adherence to the cancer treatment, adverse effects, return to activities of daily living after completed treatment, return to work as well as inflammatory markers, cytokines and gene expression. Discussion: The study will contribute to our understanding of the value of exercise and exercise intensity in reducing fatigue and improving health related quality of life and, potentially, clinical outcomes. The value of behaviour change techniques in terms of adherence to and maintenance of physical exercise behaviour in persons with cancer will be evaluated. Trial registration:NCT02473003 , October, 2014.
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| 5. |
- Grönqvist, Helena, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Fifteen Challenges in Establishing a Multidisciplinary Research Program on eHealth Research in a University Setting : A Case Study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1438-8871. ; 19:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:U-CARE is a multidisciplinary eHealth research program that involves the disciplines of caring science, clinical psychology, health economics, information systems, and medical science. It was set up from scratch in a university setting in 2010, funded by a governmental initiative. While establishing the research program, many challenges were faced. Systematic documentation of experiences from establishing new research environments is scarce.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this paper was to describe the challenges of establishing a publicly funded multidisciplinary eHealth research environment.METHODS:Researchers involved in developing the research program U-CARE identified challenges in the formal documentation and by reflecting on their experience of developing the program. The authors discussed the content and organization of challenges into themes until consensus was reached.RESULTS:The authors identified 15 major challenges, some general to establishing a new research environment and some specific for multidisciplinary eHealth programs. The challenges were organized into 6 themes: Organization, Communication, Implementation, Legislation, Software development, and Multidisciplinarity.CONCLUSIONS:Several challenges were faced during the development of the program and several accomplishments were made. By sharing our experience, we hope to help other research groups embarking on a similar journey to be prepared for some of the challenges they are likely to face on their way.
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| 6. |
- Hauffman, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Cocreated internet-based stepped care for individuals with cancer and concurrent symptoms of anxiety and depression : Results from the U-CARE AdultCan randomized controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Psycho-Oncology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 29:12, s. 2012-2018
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The aim was to evaluate the effects of cocreated internet-based stepped care (iCAN-DO) on anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with cancer and self-reported anxiety and/or depression symptoms, compared with standard care.Methods Clinically recruited individuals with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer underwent online screening with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Those with anxiety and/or depression symptoms (>7 on any of the HADS subscales) were randomized to iCAN-DO or standard care. iCAN-DO comprised psychoeducation and self-care strategies (step 1) and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT, step 2). Data were collected before randomization and at 1, 4, 7, and 10 months and analyzed with intention-to-treat regression analysis and randomization tests.Results Online screening identified 245 (27%) of 909 individuals who reported anxiety and/or depression symptoms. They were randomized to iCAN-DO (n = 124) or standard care (n = 121). Of them 49% completed the 10-month assessment, and in the iCAN-DO group 85% accessed step 1 and 13% underwent iCBT. iCAN-DO decreased the levels of symptoms of depression (−0.54, 95% confidence interval: −1.08 to −0.01, P < .05) and the proportion of individuals with symptoms of depression (P < .01) at 10 months, compared with standard care, according to HADS. There were no significant effects on anxiety, posttraumatic stress, or HRQoL.Conclusion Internet-based stepped care improves symptoms of depression in individuals with cancer. Further studies are needed to gain knowledge on how to optimize and implement internet-based support in oncology care.
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| 7. |
- Hauffman, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of Internet-Based Stepped Care in Individuals With Cancer and Concurrent Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression : Qualitative Exploration Conducted Alongside the U-CARE AdultCan Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1438-8871. ; 22:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Individuals with newly diagnosed cancer may experience impaired health in several aspects and often have a large need for information and support. About 30% will experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, with varying needs of knowledge and support. Despite this, many of these patients lack appropriate support. Internet-based support programs may offer a supplement to standard care services, but must be carefully explored from a user perspective.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the participants' perceptions of the relevance and benefits of an internet-based stepped care program (iCAN-DO) targeting individuals with cancer and concurrent symptoms of anxiety and depression.METHODS: We performed a qualitative study with an inductive approach, in which we used semistructured questions to interview 15 individuals using iCAN-DO. We analyzed the interviews using content analysis.RESULTS: The analysis found 17 subcategories regarding the stepped care intervention, resulting in 4 categories. Participants described the need for information as large and looked upon finding information almost as a survival strategy when receiving the cancer diagnosis. iCAN-DO was seen as a useful, reliable source of information and support. It was used as a complement to standard care and as a means to inform next of kin. Increased knowledge was a foundation for continued processing of participants' own feelings. The optimal time to gain access to iCAN-DO would have been when being informed of the diagnosis. The most common denominator was feeling acknowledged and supported, but with a desire for further adaptation of the system to each individual's own situation and needs.CONCLUSIONS: Users saw the internet-based stepped care program as safe and reliable and used it as a complement to standard care. Similar interventions may gain from more personalized contents, being integrated into standard care, or using symptom tracking to adjust the contents. Offering this type of program close to diagnosis may provide benefits to users.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov NCT-01630681; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01630681.
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| 8. |
- Hauffman, Anna
(författare)
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Internet-based Psychosocial Support : Design, Effects and User Experience in the Cancer Setting
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and Aim Being diagnosed with cancer is often described as a major loss of control leading to severe psychological distress and symptoms of anxiety and depression can continue to affect the individual in the long term. The cancer and its treatment may influence all dimensions of health, thus the psychosocial support provided needs to be multifaceted and easy accessed. Internet-based interventions may be one way to provide such support, but evidence is limited. This thesis aimed to investigate the design, effects, and experiences of internet-based psychosocial support in cancer.Methods and Results Study 1 encompassed a co-creation development process resulting in the interactive support provided as the first step in an internet-based stepped care intervention (iCAN-DO). The effects of iCAN-DO were investigated in a randomised controlled trial, targeting individuals newly diagnosed with cancer and concurrent self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression (according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Step 1 had a psycho-educative content involving self-care strategies and was available to the intervention group during the ten-month study period. Step 2 comprised a guided internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) program and was offered those without improvement in anxiety and depression after using Step 1. The results showed that iCAN-DO improved symptoms of depression compared with standard care, while symptoms of anxiety were largely unaffected. Most participants used Step 1, while only a few used Step 2.In Study 2, aspects of usefulness, relevance, and usability in iCAN-DO were explored through qualitative interviews, analysed using content analysis. Results showed that standard healthcare did not meet the individuals' needs and iCAN-DO was used as complement, providing access to relevant, trustworthy information and support. Usability was affected by the perceived usefulness and ease of use of the intervention, as well as by the user´s circumstances in life and consequences of the cancer. The co-creation process in the development of Step 1 added relevance, but both steps 1 and 2 would have gained from being provided earlier, integrated into standard healthcare and more adaptable to the individual.Conclusion The thesis concluded that the internet-based intervention had positive effects on symptoms of depression in individuals newly diagnosed with cancer. Individuals with cancer experience several unmet needs in standard healthcare and since psycho-educative support including self-care advice seems feasible in this group, efforts are needed to incorporate internet-based support in regular oncology care. Since the intervention did not target all symptoms (i.e. anxiety) further research is needed on how to enhance efficacy and how to make iCBT more feasible for this group.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Henriksson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Is it safe to exercise during oncological treatment? A study of adverse events during endurance and resistance training - data from the Phys-Can study.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 60:1, s. 96-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Few studies have systematically evaluated the risk of adverse events (AEs) among persons exercising during oncological treatment. We aimed to describe incidence and types of AEs during exercise for persons undergoing oncological treatment, and associations to exercise intensity, exercise adherence, chemotherapy treatment, initial aerobic fitness. A second aim was to compare incidence of lymphedema, periphery inserted central catheter (PICC) complications, and other new medical conditions (any illness or injury occurred during the exercise trial) between high-intensity vs low-to-moderate exercise and usual care (UC).METHODS: This descriptive, comparative study was based on data from an observational study including patients in an UC setting (n = 90) and a randomized exercise trial (n = 577) in which participants exercised at high-intensity (HI) or low-moderate intensity (LMI). Persons with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer undergoing neo/adjuvant treatment were included. AEs were reported by exercise coaches, participants, and identified in medical records, as were lymphedema, PICC-complications, and new medical conditions.RESULTS: Coaches reported AEs for 20% of the participants, while 28% of participants self-reported AEs. The most common coach- and participant reported AEs were musculoskeletal and the majority (97%) were considered minor. HI had higher likelihood of AEs than LMI, according to both coaches (OR: 1.9 [95%CI 1.16-3.21], p=.011) and participants (OR: 3.36 [95%CI 2.00-5.62], ≤.001). Lymphedema rates were low (4-9%) and PICC complications ranged from 15% in LMI to 23% in UC and there were no statistically significant differences between HI, LMI, and UC. There were no statistically significant differences between HI and LMI regarding new medical conditions.CONCLUSIONS: Exercise during treatment is safe for these patient groups in this setting, even HI exercise can be recommended if no medical contraindications are present. Similar to healthy populations, a higher risk of having minor AEs when exercising at HI in comparison to LMI may exist.
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