Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, UK.
Faculty of Life Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK.
Appl Nurs Res. 2018 Apr;40:143-151. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2018.01.008. Epub 2018 Jan 31.
This study evaluated the process and outcome of a psychosocial intervention for men with prostate cancer and their partners. As more men survive prostate cancer, they and their partners need help and support to help them cope with the physical and psychosocial effects of the disease and treatment. There is a lack of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer and their partners.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 34 participants to measure the effects of the intervention on selected psychosocial outcomes, post-intervention and at one month' follow-up. The nine-week program (CONNECT) consisted of three group and two telephone sessions. It focused on symptom management, sexual dysfunction, uncertainty management, positive thinking and couple communication. The outcomes, measured by validated tools were: self-efficacy, quality of life, symptom distress, communication, uncertainty and illness benefits.
The men in the intervention group did better on two outcomes (communication and support) than controls. Partners in the intervention group did better than controls on most outcomes. Less participants than expected participated in the trial. The reasons for non-participation included partners not wishing to participate, men not interested in group work, and not understanding the core purpose of the intervention. The cost of training facilitators and for delivering the intervention appeared to be low.
The knowledge generated from this study will be beneficial for all those grappling with the challenges of developing, implementing and evaluating complex psychosocial interventions. This study has also highlighted the difficulties in recruiting men and their partners in clinical trials.
本研究评估了一项针对前列腺癌男性及其伴侣的心理社会干预的过程和结果。随着越来越多的男性幸存于前列腺癌，他们及其伴侣需要帮助和支持，以帮助他们应对疾病和治疗的身体和心理社会影响。目前针对前列腺癌男性及其伴侣的心理社会干预措施不足。
采用随机对照试验，对 34 名参与者进行了测量，以评估干预对选定心理社会结果的影响，包括干预后和一个月随访时的结果。为期九周的方案（CONNECT）由三组和两次电话会议组成。它侧重于症状管理、性功能障碍、不确定性管理、积极思维和夫妻沟通。通过验证工具测量的结果包括自我效能感、生活质量、症状困扰、沟通、不确定性和疾病获益。
干预组的男性在两个结果（沟通和支持）上的表现优于对照组。干预组的伴侣在大多数结果上的表现优于对照组。参与试验的人数少于预期。不参与的原因包括伴侣不想参与、男性对小组工作不感兴趣、以及不理解干预的核心目的。培训协调员和提供干预的成本似乎较低。
本研究产生的知识将对所有那些在制定、实施和评估复杂心理社会干预方面面临挑战的人有益。本研究还强调了在临床试验中招募男性及其伴侣的困难。
