Finding My Way: results of a multicentre RCT evaluating a web-based self-guided psychosocial intervention for newly diagnosed cancer survivors

Finding My Way: results of a multicentre RCT evaluating a web-based self-guided psychosocial intervention for newly diagnosed cancer survivors Beatty, Lisa Jane; Kemp, Emma; Coll, Joseph R; Turner, Jane; Butow, Phyllis N; Milne, Donna; Yates, Patsy; Lambert, Sylvie D; Wootten, Addie; Yip, Desmond; Koczwara, Bogda Purpose This multicentre randomised controlled trial examined the efficacy of Finding My Way (FMW), a 6-week/6-module online self-guided psychotherapeutic intervention for newly diagnosed curatively treated cancer survivors, in reducing cancer-related distress and improving quality of life compared to an online attention control. Methods Participants were randomised on a 1:1 ratio using a gender-stratified block design to intervention (n = 94) or attention control (n = 97), and were blinded to condition. Assessments were completed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3) post-intervention. Mixed model repeated measures analyses examined differences between groups for cancer-specific distress (primary outcome) and general distress, quality of life (QoL), coping, and health service utilisation (secondary outcomes). Results While both groups reported reduced cancer-specific and general distress over time, between-group differences were not significant. Intervention participants reported lower total health service utilisation and supportive care utilisation post-intervention than controls (total HS use: between-group mean difference = − 1.07 (− 1.85 to − 0.28); supportive care use: between-group mean difference = − 0.64 (− 1.21 to − 0.06)) and significantly higher emotional functioning at 3 months (between-group mean difference = 7.04 (0.15 to 13.9)). At 6 months, the supportive care utilisation finding reversed (between-group mean difference = 0.78 points (0.19 to 1.37). Across remaining QoL and coping outcomes, no significant group differences emerged. Conclusions While both groups experienced reductions in distress, between-group differences were not significant. This contrasts with the significantly improved emotional functioning observed in FMW participants at 3 months and the short-term reductions in health service utilisation. Long-term increases in supportive care service utilisation suggest FMW only met needs while being actively used. “This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Supportive Care in Cancer. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4526-1”.© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018 This author accepted manuscript is made available following 12 month embargo from date of publication (November 2018) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policy