Standard versus prosocial online support groups for distressed breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial
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TLDR
The theory-based prosocial online support group intervention model is sustainable, because it can be implemented by private non-profit or other organizations, such as cancer centers, which mostly offer face-to-face support groups with limited patient reach.Abstract:
The Internet can increase access to psychosocial care for breast cancer survivors through online support groups. This study will test a novel prosocial online group that emphasizes both opportunities for getting and giving help. Based on the helper therapy principle, it is hypothesized that the addition of structured helping opportunities and coaching on how to help others online will increase the psychological benefits of a standard online group. A two-armed randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest. Non-metastatic breast cancer survivors with elevated psychological distress will be randomized to either a standard facilitated online group or to a prosocial facilitated online group, which combines online exchanges of support with structured helping opportunities (blogging, breast cancer outreach) and coaching on how best to give support to others. Validated and reliable measures will be administered to women approximately one month before and after the interventions. Self-esteem, positive affect, and sense of belonging will be tested as potential mediators of the primary outcomes of depressive/anxious symptoms and sense of purpose in life. This study will test an innovative approach to maximizing the psychological benefits of cancer online support groups. The theory-based prosocial online support group intervention model is sustainable, because it can be implemented by private non-profit or other organizations, such as cancer centers, which mostly offer face-to-face support groups with limited patient reach. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01396174read more
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Twitter Social Media is an Effective Tool for Breast Cancer Patient Education and Support: Patient-Reported Outcomes by Survey
Deanna J. Attai,Michael S Cowher,Mohammed Al-Hamadani,Jody M Schoger,Alicia C. Staley,Jeffrey Landercasper +5 more
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that breast cancer patients’ perceived knowledge increases and their anxiety decreases by participation in a Twitter social media support group.
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A systematic review of types and efficacy of online interventions for cancer patients
Heidi McAlpine,Heidi McAlpine,Lynette Joubert,Fernando Martin-Sanchez,Mark Merolli,Katharine J. Drummond,Katharine J. Drummond +6 more
TL;DR: The efficacy of online interventions for cancer patients was varied, with some demonstrating positive effects on quality of life and related measures, and two demonstrating poorer outcomes for intervention participants.
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Surviving and Thriving With Cancer Using a Web-Based Health Behavior Change Intervention: Randomized Controlled Trial
Erin O'Carroll Bantum,Cheryl L. Albright,Kami K. White,Jeffrey L. Berenberg,Gabriela Layi,Phillip L Ritter,Diana Laurent,Katy Plant,Kate Lorig +8 more
TL;DR: The Web-based intervention impacted insomnia and exercise; however, a majority of the sample met or exceeded national recommendations for health behaviors and were not suffering from depression or fatigue at baseline, thus, the survivors were very healthy and well-adjusted upon entry and their ability to make substantial health behavior changes may have been limited.
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Online support groups for women with breast cancer
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of online support groups on the emotional distress, uncertainty, anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL) of women with breast cancer were assessed.
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Interventions Using Social Media for Cancer Prevention and Management: A Systematic Review.
TL;DR: In this paper, a systematic search, using 7 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO), was conducted to identify surveys and interventions using contemporary social media tools with a focus on cancer.
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