Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Cancer Control. 2023 Jan-Dec;30:10732748231185002. doi: 10.1177/10732748231185002.
There is limited availability of self-management interventions for oesophageal cancer survivors at present. This study examined the feasibility of OptiMal, a six-week, self-management programme to improve fatigue, mood and health-related quality of life for oesophageal cancer survivors.
A mixed methods design was used to evaluate the feasibility of OptiMal. The quantitative arm of the study examined changes in the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the EQ-5D-3L, administered prior to OptiMal (T1), immediately following completion of OptiMal (T2), and three months following completion (T3). Qualitative inquiry in the study was guided by a qualitative descriptive approach through focus groups investigating the experiences of group participants, and individual semi-structured interviews at T3. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Two OptiMal programmes were delivered over a six-month period with a total of fourteen individuals who had finished treatment for oesophageal cancer. The attendance rate was 89.3%. Statistically significant reductions were observed in fatigue, difficulty performing usual activities, anxiety and depression at three-month follow-up. Qualitative findings identified acceptability of the content and delivery format of OptiMal. Participants reported applying self-management strategies acquired through OptiMal to increase participation in daily activities and improve their health and well-being.
This feasibility study yielded promising results in terms of self-management outcomes for oesophageal cancer survivors following attendance of OptiMal. Larger scale research studies with control groups are warranted to examine the outcomes in a robust manner.
目前，针对食管癌幸存者的自我管理干预措施有限。本研究旨在检验 OptiMal 的可行性，该方案是一个为期六周的自我管理计划，旨在改善食管癌幸存者的疲劳、情绪和健康相关生活质量。
本研究采用混合方法设计评估 OptiMal 的可行性。定量研究部分通过多维疲劳量表、医院焦虑抑郁量表和 EQ-5D-3L 来评估 OptiMal 的效果，在 OptiMal 之前（T1）、完成后立即（T2）和完成后三个月（T3）进行评估。研究中的定性探究采用焦点小组的定性描述方法，调查了小组参与者的体验，并在 T3 时进行了个体半结构化访谈。定性数据采用主题分析进行分析。
在六个月的时间里，共进行了两个 OptiMal 项目，参与者共计 14 人，均已完成食管癌治疗。出勤率为 89.3%。在三个月的随访中，疲劳、日常活动困难、焦虑和抑郁均有显著降低。定性结果表明 OptiMal 的内容和交付格式是可接受的。参与者报告说，他们将通过 OptiMal 获得的自我管理策略应用于日常生活中，以提高参与度并改善健康和幸福感。
参加 OptiMal 后，本可行性研究在食管癌幸存者的自我管理结果方面取得了有希望的结果。需要进行更大规模的对照研究来更有力地检验结果。
