Web-based Stress Management for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients (STREAM-1)

Many cancer patients experience their illness as substantial psychological burden. About half of the cancer patients suffer from severe stress symptoms and around one third of the patients fulfill the criteria for a clinically relevant psychological disorder (mainly anxiety disorder and/or major depression). Studies show, that a high level of distress in cancer patients is associated with more side effects of and a reduced compliance for oncological treatment. Today, the efficacy of psycho-oncological interventions is well studied and proven. Besides the reduction of levels of anxiety, distress and depression, psycho-oncological support facilitates dealing with physical complaints and increases quality of life. Yet, psycho-oncological support is rarely utilized by male patients and insufficiently accessible for many patients (i.a. lack of supply in the respective area, cost issues). The internet overcomes some of these barriers, as it can be used independently of time and location. Internet-based therapies are therefore a growing field of interest in research and there is evidence for treatment efficacy for several psychological disorders. Moreover effect sizes of traditional face-to-face and interactive web-based interventions are comparable. However, web-based interventions for cancer patients are still scarce. The present research project therefore develops a comprehensive stress management program accessible for a vast number of cancer patients. The study targets primarily to evaluate the feasibility of the program (technical, organizational feasibility, accessibility). In addition, the preliminary efficacy of the program will be analyzed in order to adapt future programs for specific patient groups.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with any kind of newly diagnosed cancer undergoing first treatment (including radiotherapy, hormonal treatment, targeted therapies, chemotherapy or combined-modality treatment) regardless of the setting (adjuvant treatment, curative treatment, palliative first-line treatment)
* Patients with newly diagnosed relapse of cancer, who had received prior curatively-intended treatment
* Inclusion is allowed immediately prior to or within 12 weeks of the start of treatment
* Patients must have cytologically or histologically proven diagnosis of malignant disease (either at diagnosis or at relapse)
* Prior treatment -including chemotherapy- for a different, prior malignant tumor is allowed
* Concomitant participation in an experimental therapeutic drug trial is allowed
* Age \>18 years
* Command of the German language
* Internet access and basic computer skills
* Life expectancy of \>6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing palliative second- or further line chemotherapy treatment
* Patients treated with surgery only
* Patients participating in a concomitant psychological intervention trial

• DERIVEDUrech C, Grossert A, Alder J, Scherer S, Handschin B, Kasenda B, Borislavova B, Degen S, Erb J, Faessler A, Gattlen L, Schibli S, Werndli C, Gaab J, Berger T, Zumbrunn T, Hess V. Web-Based Stress Management for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Cancer (STREAM): A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Intervention Study. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Mar 10;36(8):780-788. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.74.8491. Epub 2018 Jan 25. PMID 29369731
• DERIVEDGrossert A, Urech C, Alder J, Gaab J, Berger T, Hess V. Web-based stress management for newly diagnosed cancer patients (STREAM-1): a randomized, wait-list controlled intervention study. BMC Cancer. 2016 Nov 3;16(1):838. doi: 10.1186/s12885-016-2866-0. PMID 27809796