Citation

Murphy MJ, Newby JM, Butow P, Loughnan SA, Joubert AE, Kirsten L, Allison K, Shaw J, Shepherd HL, Smith J, Andrews G. Psychooncology 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, UNSW, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/pon.5267

PMID

31659822

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) on clinical depression and/or anxiety, distress, fear of cancer recurrence and quality of life in cancer survivors.

METHODS: Random assignation of 114 participants to iCBT or Treatment-as-usual (TAU). The clinician-supervised iCBT program (iCanADAPT Early) consisted of 8-lessons over 16-weeks. Self-report questionnaires occurred at baseline, mid-point, and post-treatment for both groups with 3-month follow-up for iCBT participants. A mixed modelling approach to compare groups occurred.

RESULTS: iCBT was superior to TAU on all outcome measures at post-treatment. Compared with TAU, the iCBT group showed a significant decrease over time in anxiety and depression symptoms (primary outcome, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Hedges g=1.51. Additionally the iCBT group had significantly lower general distress (Kessler-10, g=1.56), fear of cancer recurrence (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, g=0.39) and significantly higher quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, g=0.74) at post-treatment compared to the TAU group. High adherence and satisfaction were found for iCBT with low clinician time.

CONCLUSION: Clinician-supervised iCBT has significant benefits for cancer survivors with clinical depression and anxiety disorders.

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Language: en

Keywords

Internet cognitive behavioural therapy; anxiety; cancer; depression; oncology; randomised controlled trial