A community-based trial of a psychosocial eHealth intervention for parents of children with cancer.

BACKGROUND

The Electronic Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (eSCCIP), a psychosocial eHealth intervention for parents and caregivers of children with cancer (parents), was delivered in a community-based psychosocial oncology center. Primary endpoints were intervention acceptability, feasibility, and accessibility, with a secondary exploratory focus on psychosocial outcomes.

PROCEDURE

Oncology therapists in a psychosocial oncology center were trained in eSCCIP delivery. Participants were eligible for participation if they were the primary caregiver of a child with cancer between the ages 0 and 17, could read and write in English, and had reliable internet access to complete eSCCIP. Surveys were administered electronically at baseline and post intervention to evaluate study endpoints. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were computed for exploratory psychosocial outcomes. Nineteen parents completed the intervention.

RESULTS

Parents rated eSCCIP as highly acceptable, feasible, and accessible. A large clinical effect was detected for acute distress (d = 0.79). Moderate clinical effects were reported for overall posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (d = 0.37), negative mood/cognitions (d = 0.59), and symptoms of anxiety (d = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that eSCCIP is an acceptable, feasible, and accessible psychosocial intervention for parents. Exploratory analyses suggest that participation in eSCCIP may contribute to decreases in acute distress, symptoms of anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.