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Online support groups for young women with breast cancer: a proof-of-concept study

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Abstract

Objective

This initial study examined a therapist-led, synchronous, online support group (OSG) with psycho-education (OSG + E) compared to self-help psycho-education (E). The study aims were to examine proof of concept—feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness—and to hone methods for a formal RCT.

Methods

One hundred five young breast cancer survivors (<50 years) post-treatment were randomized either to OSG + E or E. OSG + E received a therapist-led 10-week synchronous online intervention. E received a self-help workbook. Assessments were at baseline, 10 weeks, and 3 months, with willing OSG + E members completing post-study interviews. Researchers used inductive analysis, generating qualitative themes for feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness. We examined trajectories for one primary and two secondary quantitative outcomes and a combined moderator to discover who preferentially benefitted from the intervention.

Results

Qualitative analyses revealed that synchronous chat was at times challenging, but minimal technical coaching, structure, set topics, and professional facilitation enabled conversations that were focused and meaningful. A combined moderator indicated that generally more women benefitted from OSG + E relative to E and particularly those women in semi-rural and rural areas.

Conclusions

This study suggests that therapist-led synchronous OSGs are feasible, acceptable, and useful for young breast cancer survivors and that a future RCT with a larger sample size, perhaps more focused on non-urban areas, is needed to establish its effectiveness.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the young Canadian women who participated, Dr. Mitch Golant and The Cancer Support Community therapists, Helena C. Kraemer (biostatistician) and Dr. Karen Flood, therapist for the Young Survivor groups, who brought passion and extraordinary clinical skill to this innovative group therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    Joanne Stephen, Lihong Zhong, Sahar Mahmoud & Janine Giese-Davis

  2. Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 2202 2nd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 3C1, Canada

    Joanne Stephen, Lihong Zhong, Sahar Mahmoud & Janine Giese-Davis

  3. Allied Health, South Health Campus, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Joanne Stephen

  4. Redwood Outcomes, Vancouver, Canada

    Adina Rojubally

  5. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Wolfgang Linden

  6. British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada

    Gina Mackenzie

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  1. Joanne Stephen
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  2. Adina Rojubally
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  3. Wolfgang Linden
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  4. Lihong Zhong
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  7. Janine Giese-Davis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Janine Giese-Davis.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Project funding

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC and Prairies Chapters funded this study. Salary support was provided for Dr. Stephen, University of Calgary, Dept. of Oncology Clinical Fellowship, and Dr. Giese-Davis, The Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology held by Linda E. Carlson. Joanne Stephen salary support from the British Columbia Cancer Agency.

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Stephen, J., Rojubally, A., Linden, W. et al. Online support groups for young women with breast cancer: a proof-of-concept study. Support Care Cancer 25, 2285–2296 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3639-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3639-2

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