Acceptability and Feasibility of eSCCIP: Results From a Pilot Study of the Electronic Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program
Author:
Canter Kimberly S12ORCID,
Vega Gabriela1,
Perez Ramirez Alejandra1,
Munoz Osorio Angel1,
Thomas Courtney1,
Lewis Amanda M1,
Arasteh Kamyar1,
Kazak Anne12ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children’s Health , Wilmington, DE, USA
2. Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, PA, USA
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Providing high-quality psychosocial care to parents and other primary caregivers of children with cancer (henceforth referred to as caregivers) is important, given the numerous challenges associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis and the increased risk for negative psychosocial sequelae among caregivers. The Electronic Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (eSCCIP) is a psychosocial eHealth intervention for caregivers, developed using an iterative, user-centered process.
Method
eSCCIP was tested in a single-arm pilot trial at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware (NCT05333601). The primary outcomes were intervention acceptability and feasibility, assessed via enrollment and retention targets, and item-level acceptability ratings. Enrollment and retention targets of 45% were set based on previous work, and an item-level acceptability threshold of 80% was set. A secondary exploratory analysis was conducted examining acute distress, anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and family functioning.
Results
44 caregivers enrolled in the study and 31 completed. The intervention was rated favorably by completers, with over 80% of the sample selecting “mostly true” or “very true” for all items of the eSCCIP Evaluation Questionnaire, which was used to assess acceptability and feasibility. Enrollment and retention rates were 54% and 70%, respectively. Exploratory psychosocial outcomes showed statistically significant decreases from pre-intervention to post-intervention for overall symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cluster D symptoms of PTSD (negative mood and cognitions), and anxiety. Small-moderate effect sizes were observed for all psychosocial outcomes of interest.
Conclusions
eSCCIP is an acceptable and feasible intervention for caregivers. Results are promising regarding reductions in symptoms of post-traumatic stress and anxiety.
Funder
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Institutional Development Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Developmental and Educational Psychology,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
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