Effectiveness of self-management program for gastric cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial comparing gain vs. loss message framing.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-management program using gain/loss-framed messages in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 69 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy at a university hospital were assigned to the gain- or loss-framed message group. The self-management program consisted of: 1) face-to-face education, 2) gain/loss-framed text messages, and 3) self-monitoring of health behaviors. Health outcomes (i.e., nutritional status, physical activity, exercise intensity, and distress), and health behaviors (i.e., dietary habits, physical activity performance, and distress management) were measured, and a generalized estimating equation was used for the analysis.

RESULTS

Nutritional status and dietary habits in the loss framed message group were statistically higher after the intervention compared to the counterpart (β = -1.72, p = .049; β = 0.36, p = .033, respectively). There was no time-group interaction effect on physical activity, exercise intensity, physical activity performance, distress or distress management.

CONCLUSIONS

A self-management program employing loss-framed messages was effective in promoting nutrition-related self-management among patients with gastric cancer.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Message-framing is an effective communication technique that can be easily used in clinical settings, and a loss-message-framing strategy may enhance nutrition-related self-management in patients with gastric cancer.