TPS237 Background: Fear of cancer recurrence is a universal experience among survivors and for many, fear persists years after treatment completion. Psychosocial interventions to teach strategies for managing these fears would improve quality of life, yet barriers to accessing psychosocial care exist. Internet-based approaches to deliver psychosocial interventions can overcome these barriers. E-health interventions disseminate standardized intervention content using a medium that is widely accessible and relatively inexpensive. Incorporating a social networking feature may improve e-intervention adherence through facilitating peer support. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an innovative e-health intervention +/- social networking to reduce fear of recurrence, depression, and anxiety among cancer survivors.
METHODS
Eligibility criteria include 1) any cancer diagnosis (excluding basal or squamous cell skin cancers), 2) completed cancer treatment and in remission, with no evidence of disease or stable disease, 3) ECOG performance status 0-2, 4) at least 19 years of age, 5) no history of psychiatric hospitalization in the past 5 years and 6) not currently receiving psychosocial treatment. Participants are randomized by group into one of two conditions: e-health intervention versus e-health intervention + social networking component. The e-health intervention is an interactive website with 8 weeks of didactic material based on empirically supported cognitive behavioral strategies and tools to facilitate application of coping strategies. Optional modules teach behavioral management strategies for fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction and body image concerns. The social networking feature includes structured interactions with cancer survivors randomized to the same group. Outcome measures include the Concerns about Recurrence scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, adherence to the intervention (website utilization) and EQ-5D to evaluate cost effectiveness. To date, 31 participants have been randomized: e-health intervention only (two groups, n = 8 per group), e-health + social networking (two groups, n = 6 and 9).