Cited by 61Digital Mental Health InterventionsPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchCancer survivorship and care

Internet-based guided self-help for parents of children on cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial

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Cernvall, Martin, Carlbring, Per, Ljungman, Lisa, Ljungman, Gustaf, Essen, Louise·2015·Psycho-Oncology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an Internet-based guided self-help intervention for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and related symptoms in parents of children on cancer treatment. METHODS: Parents of children on cancer treatment, who fulfilled the modified symptom criteria on the PTSD Checklist, were randomly allocated to the intervention or to a wait-list control condition. The intervention group accessed a 10-week guided self-help program via the Internet based on principles from cognitve behavior therapy. The primary outcome PTSS and the secondary outcomes depression and anxiety were assessed by self-report preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: Seven hundred forty-seven parents were approached and informed about the study, 92 were assessed for eligibility, and 58 were included and randomized to the intervention (n = 31) or wait list (n = 27). Eightteen participants completed the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses indicated a significant effect of the intervention on PTSS with a large between-group effect size at postassessment (Cohen's d = 0.88). The intervention group reported reductions in PTSS with a large within-group effect size (d = 1.62) compared with a minimal reduction in the wait-list group (d = 0.09). There was a significant intervention effect on depression and anxiety and reductions in the intervention group with large within-group effect sizes (d = 0.85-1.09). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a low enrollment rate and considerable attrition but also that Internet-based guided self-help shows promise for parents of children on cancer treatment who report a high level of PTSS and would like to take part in an Internet-based intervention.

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  • An internet-administered psychological, self-help intervention is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSS) among parents of children recently diagnosed with cancer, with improvements maintained at 1-year follow-up.

    “We have shown an internet-administered psychological, self-help intervention to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSS) among parents of children recently diagnosed with cancer,11 with improvements maintained at 1-year follow-up.12”

    From Study protocol for a feasibility study of an internet-administered, guided, CBT-based, self-help intervention (ENGAGE) for parents of children previously treated for cancer (2018) · cites this paper as [11]

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  • Approximately 30% of parents with a need for psychological support are expected to potentially consent to participate.

    “Approximately 30% of these (216/720) are expected to potentially consent.11 12 18”

    From Study protocol for a feasibility study of an internet-administered, guided, CBT-based, self-help intervention (ENGAGE) for parents of children previously treated for cancer (2018) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that 26% of approached parents expressed interest, close to the cited estimate of approximately 30%. But they consented to be contacted again, not to participate in the trial, and their need for psychological support was not established; the Results report that only 58 of 747 approached parents were randomized. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  1. [28]Singer JD, Willet JB. Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis: Modelling Change and Event Occurence, Oxford University Press: New York, NY, 2003.

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Authors
Cernvall, M., Carlbring, P., Ljungman, L., Ljungman, G., & Essen, L.
Affiliations
  • Uppsala University (SE)
  • Stockholm University (SE)
  • Clinical Psychology in Healthcare, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
Corresponding author
Cernvall, Martin
Venue
Psycho-Oncology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-03
Volume
24
Issue
9
Pages
1152-1158
ISSN
  • 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-1611
OpenAlex
W1801224765
Cited by
61
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
10.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Uppsala University Publications (Uppsala University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Swedish Research Council (K2008-70X-20836-01-3, K2011-70X-20836-04-4)
  • Swedish Cancer Society (2010/276)
  • Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation (PROJ08/010, PRO12/028)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
posttraumatic stress symptoms, parents of children with cancer, childhood cancer, cognitive behavioral therapy, depression, anxiety, feasibility, attrition, enrollment rates
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Parents, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Internet, Self Report

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