Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence

Allan ‘Ben’ Smith; Adeola Bamgboje‐Ayodele; Sharuja Jegathees; Phyllis Butow; Britt Klein; Marj Salter; Jane Turner; Joanna Fardell; Belinda Thewes; Louise Sharpe; Lisa Beatty; Alison Pearce; Jane Beith; Daniel Costa; Orlando Rincones; Verena S. Wu; Frances L. Garden; Belinda E. Kiely; Karen Lim; Lisa Morstyn; Brigid Hanley; Rosemerry Hodgkin; Annette Beattie; Afaf Girgis

doi:10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence

Allan ‘Ben’ Smith, Adeola Bamgboje‐Ayodele, Sharuja Jegathees, Phyllis Butow, Britt Klein, Marj Salter, Jane Turner, Joanna Fardell, Belinda Thewes, Louise Sharpe, Lisa Beatty, Alison Pearce, Jane Beith, Daniel Costa, Orlando Rincones, Verena S. Wu, Frances L. Garden, Belinda E. Kiely, Karen Lim, Lisa MorstynBrigid Hanley, Rosemerry Hodgkin, Annette Beattie, Afaf Girgis

College of Education, Psychology and Social Work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

110 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention. Methods: Eligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention. Results: Fifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120–599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention − 3.44 (− 5.18, − 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up − 4.52 (− 6.25, − 2.78), p = < 0.001). Conclusion: iConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement. Implications for Cancer Survivors: iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	425-438
Number of pages	14
Journal	Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Volume	18
Issue number	2
Early online date	25 Jul 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9
Publication status	Published - Apr 2024

Keywords

cancer
eHealth
fear of cancer recurrence
Oncology
online
psycho-oncology
self-management
survivorship
web-based

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9Licence: CC BY

Final published versionFinal published version, 824 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Smith, A. B., Bamgboje‐Ayodele, A., Jegathees, S., Butow, P., Klein, B., Salter, M., Turner, J., Fardell, J., Thewes, B., Sharpe, L., Beatty, L., Pearce, A., Beith, J., Costa, D., Rincones, O., Wu, V. S., Garden, F. L., Kiely, B. E., Lim, K., ... Girgis, A. (2024). Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 18(2), 425-438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9

@article{9a5c7cfe89fd4262b5eee27620585045,

title = "Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence",

abstract = "Purpose: Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention. Methods: Eligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention. Results: Fifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120–599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention − 3.44 (− 5.18, − 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up − 4.52 (− 6.25, − 2.78), p = < 0.001). Conclusion: iConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement. Implications for Cancer Survivors: iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.",

keywords = "cancer, eHealth, fear of cancer recurrence, Oncology, online, psycho-oncology, self-management, survivorship, web-based",

author = "Smith, {Allan {\textquoteleft}Ben{\textquoteright}} and Adeola Bamgboje‐Ayodele and Sharuja Jegathees and Phyllis Butow and Britt Klein and Marj Salter and Jane Turner and Joanna Fardell and Belinda Thewes and Louise Sharpe and Lisa Beatty and Alison Pearce and Jane Beith and Daniel Costa and Orlando Rincones and Wu, {Verena S.} and Garden, {Frances L.} and Kiely, {Belinda E.} and Karen Lim and Lisa Morstyn and Brigid Hanley and Rosemerry Hodgkin and Annette Beattie and Afaf Girgis",

year = "2024",

month = apr,

doi = "10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9",

language = "English",

volume = "18",

pages = "425--438",

journal = "Journal of Cancer Survivorship",

issn = "1932-2259",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

number = "2",

}

Smith, AB, Bamgboje‐Ayodele, A, Jegathees, S, Butow, P, Klein, B, Salter, M, Turner, J, Fardell, J, Thewes, B, Sharpe, L, Beatty, L, Pearce, A, Beith, J, Costa, D, Rincones, O, Wu, VS, Garden, FL, Kiely, BE, Lim, K, Morstyn, L, Hanley, B, Hodgkin, R, Beattie, A & Girgis, A 2024, 'Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence', Journal of Cancer Survivorship, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 425-438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9

TY - JOUR

T1 - Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear

T2 - a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence

AU - Smith, Allan ‘Ben’

AU - Bamgboje‐Ayodele, Adeola

AU - Jegathees, Sharuja

AU - Butow, Phyllis

AU - Klein, Britt

AU - Salter, Marj

AU - Turner, Jane

AU - Fardell, Joanna

AU - Thewes, Belinda

AU - Sharpe, Louise

AU - Beatty, Lisa

AU - Pearce, Alison

AU - Beith, Jane

AU - Costa, Daniel

AU - Rincones, Orlando

AU - Wu, Verena S.

AU - Garden, Frances L.

AU - Kiely, Belinda E.

AU - Lim, Karen

AU - Morstyn, Lisa

AU - Hanley, Brigid

AU - Hodgkin, Rosemerry

AU - Beattie, Annette

AU - Girgis, Afaf

PY - 2024/4

Y1 - 2024/4

N2 - Purpose: Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention. Methods: Eligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention. Results: Fifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120–599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention − 3.44 (− 5.18, − 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up − 4.52 (− 6.25, − 2.78), p = < 0.001). Conclusion: iConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement. Implications for Cancer Survivors: iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.

AB - Purpose: Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention. Methods: Eligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention. Results: Fifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120–599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention − 3.44 (− 5.18, − 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up − 4.52 (− 6.25, − 2.78), p = < 0.001). Conclusion: iConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement. Implications for Cancer Survivors: iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.

KW - cancer

KW - eHealth

KW - fear of cancer recurrence

KW - Oncology

KW - online

KW - psycho-oncology

KW - self-management

KW - survivorship

KW - web-based

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85134737819&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9

DO - 10.1007/s11764-022-01233-9

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85134737819

SN - 1932-2259

VL - 18

SP - 425

EP - 438

JO - Journal of Cancer Survivorship

JF - Journal of Cancer Survivorship

IS - 2

ER -

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this