A Novel Prosocial Online Support Group for Distressed Breast Cancer Survivors

NCT ID: NCT01396174

Last Updated: 2015-04-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

184 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2011-08-31

Study Completion Date

2014-11-30

Brief Summary

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The investigators hypothesize that breast cancer survivors participating in a prosocial online support group will have a significantly lower mean level of psychological symptoms (anxiety/depression) and higher mean level of sense of purpose post-intervention than participants in a standard online support group.

Detailed Description

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Psychological distress is a significant problem among breast cancer survivors. Many survivors turn to the internet for information and support, yet few controlled studies have examined the effectiveness and safety of online support groups. The investigators are testing the potential efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of an innovative theory-based online support group (OSG) for breast cancer survivors. Members of the control group will participate in a standard OSG that encourages self-expression. Members of the experimental condition will participate in a prosocial OSG that provides structured helping opportunities and coaching on how best to give support to others. Participants will complete two telephone interviews and six weekly online support group meetings.

Conditions

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Breast Neoplasms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Standard Online Support Group

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Online Support Group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Six weekly 1.5 hour online support group meetings facilitated by a Cancer Support Community staff member. This online support group will focus on encouraging self-expression.

Prosocial Online Support Group

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

prosocial online support group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Six weekly 1.5 hour online support group meetings facilitated by a Cancer Support Community staff member. This online support group will maximize opportunities to provide help to others.

Interventions

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prosocial online support group

Six weekly 1.5 hour online support group meetings facilitated by a Cancer Support Community staff member. This online support group will maximize opportunities to provide help to others.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard Online Support Group

Six weekly 1.5 hour online support group meetings facilitated by a Cancer Support Community staff member. This online support group will focus on encouraging self-expression.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Life Beyond Cancer Life Beyond Cancer

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* diagnosed with stage I or II breast cancer in preceding 36 months
* 21-64 years of age
* access to and ability to use a computer and the internet to communicate with others
* fluent in spoken English
* meet the screening criteria for psychological distress (score \>7 on either the depression or anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales

Exclusion Criteria

* currently taking medication for depression
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

64 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Cancer Support Community, Research and Training Institute, Philadelphia

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Temple University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Stephen J Lepore, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Temple University

Joanne Buzaglo, Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Cancer Support Community

Locations

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Lepore SJ, Buzaglo JS, Lieberman MA, Golant M, Greener JR, Davey A. Comparing standard versus prosocial internet support groups for patients with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial of the helper therapy principle. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Dec 20;32(36):4081-6. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2014.57.0093. Epub 2014 Nov 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25403218 (View on PubMed)

Lepore SJ, Buzaglo JS, Lieberman MA, Golant M, Davey A. Standard versus prosocial online support groups for distressed breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer. 2011 Aug 25;11:379. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-379.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 21867502 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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RCA158877A

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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