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Effects of a WeChat-based multimodal psychoeducational intervention on psychological well-being and quality of life in acute leukaemia patients in China: a randomised controlled trial

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Abstract

Purpose

The treatment and side effects of chemotherapy for acute leukaemia (AL) may cause both physical and psychological symptoms in patients. This study evaluated the effects of a WeChat-based multimodal psychoeducational intervention (ICARE programme) on fatigue, distress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) among adult AL patients.

Methods

In total, 72 participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention or control group (n = 36), respectively, from two large tertiary hospitals in Fuzhou, China (from April to December 2019). Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and after a 4-week follow-up using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Distress Thermometer, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-leukaemia. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants and a linear mixed model was used to analyse the score changes.

Results

Between the two groups, there were statistically significant improvements in fatigue, distress, anxiety, depression, physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being, functional well-being (all p < 0.001), and leukaemia-specific subscale (p = 0.001). The difference over time was significant for leukaemia-specific subscale and fatigue, both (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and social/family well-being (p = 0.005). The interaction effects were significant for fatigue, distress, anxiety, physical well-being, social/family well-being, and emotional well-being, all (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.019), leukaemia-specific subscale (p = 0.008), and total QoL score (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

WeChat-based multimodal psychoeducational intervention demonstrated a significant effect in reducing fatigue, distress, anxiety, depression, and QoL in AL patients. This ICARE programme contributed to continuing care to support AL patients.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The ICARE programme can improve the mental health and QoL of AL patients. The application of WeChat-based psychoeducational interventions have significant potential to benefit cancer patients due to their reach and can be an added value to routine care.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully thank the support from the related hospitals and all the participants for their contribution to this study. The authors would like to thank the Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Joint Fund Project and the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province for providing funding for this study.

Funding

This study is supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Joint Fund Project of Fujian Province, China (Grant No. 2019Y9029) and the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (Grant No. 2019J01684).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The School of Nursing, Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xueyuan Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou City, 350108, China

    Ying Wang, Lei Yang, Wenkui Xu, Chunfeng Wang, Jingyi Chen & Rong Hu

  2. Department of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Institute of Hematology, 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, China

    Yong Wu

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  1. Ying Wang
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Contributions

YW was responsible for the manuscript preparation. RH and YW conceptualised and designed the study. LY, WKX, CFW, and JYC contributed to the revision of the protocol manuscript. All authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yong Wu or Rong Hu.

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Ethics approval

The Biological and Medical Research Ethics Committee of Fujian Medical University (IRB Ref No: 2017/00049) approved this study in September 2017. The ethical standards were adhered to in all stages of the study, including participant recruitment, research training, data collection, and data analysis. Before enrollment, all participants were informed of the study purpose and rights. All data were sealed and properly stored after entry and verification by our research team. The participants voluntarily signed informed consent forms.

Consent to participate

No study will be conducted without patient consent obtained. Patients’ medical records were collected from the patients’ electronic medical records with hospital permission.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Wang, Y., Yang, L., Xu, W. et al. Effects of a WeChat-based multimodal psychoeducational intervention on psychological well-being and quality of life in acute leukaemia patients in China: a randomised controlled trial. J Cancer Surviv 16, 1461–1477 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01124-5

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