Foster, C., Grimmett, C., May, C.M., Ewings, S., Myall, M., Hulme, C., . . . Richardson, A. (2016). A web-based intervention (RESTORE) to support self-management of cancer-related fatigue following primary cancer treatment: A multi-centre proof of concept randomised controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24, 2445–2453.
To test the proof of concept for a web-based intervention for fatigue designed to enhance self-efficacy in the management of cancer-related fatigue to inform the design of an effectiveness trial
This study was a multi-center, parallel-group, two-armed (1:1), exploratory, randomized (RESTORE or written leaflet), controlled trial with qualitative process evaluation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an informational leaflet or participate in the use of a web-based program. The web-based program consisted of five sessions, including mandatory sessions on fatigue and goal setting and four other sessions that patients could choose from, that were presented to the patient at weekly intervals. The program also included videos of patient stories and automated tailored feedback components.
FEASIBILITY: Forty-one percent of eligible patients consented to the study (16% of screened patients). The randomization process resulted in generally balanced groups with the exception of “not working” and “days since last cytotoxic treatment.” ACCEPTABILITY: Fifty percent indicated that the timing of program delivery was “about right”; others would have preferred earlier. Participants reported feeling supported and reassured that someone was interested in their fatigue. The attrition rate from consent to T2 was 36%. Seventy-one percent of participants determined to have adhered to intervention (completed sessions 1 and 2 and one of the remaining three sessions). No significant differences in symptoms or self-efficacy existed between groups.
Web-based resource (RESTORE) for the enhancement of self-efficacy in the management of cancer-related fatigue, pending recommended revisions, may be feasible and acceptable for use in research studies. Further study is needed to determine effectiveness.
Nursing implications include the cautious use of feasibility, acceptability, and adherence data for the completion of a web-based program to enhance self-efficacy in the management of cancer-related fatigue based on responses from multi-site participants in the United Kingdom.