Changes of Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in Cancer Patients 3 Months after a Video-Based Intervention

Sina Schlecht, Sven Neubert, Karin Meng, Antonia Rabe and Elisabeth Jentschke ()
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Sina Schlecht: Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
Sven Neubert: Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
Karin Meng: Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
Antonia Rabe: Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
Elisabeth Jentschke: Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 20, 1-12

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing restricted psycho-oncological care. Therefore, this secondary analysis examines the changes in anxiety, fear of progression, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients after a video-based eHealth intervention. We used a prospective observational design with 155 cancer patients with mixed tumor entities. Data were assessed before and after the intervention and at a three-month follow-up using self-reported questionnaires (GAD-7, FOP-Q-SF, PHQ-8, and EORTC QLQ-FA12). The eight videos included psychoeducation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy elements, and yoga and qigong exercises. The results showed that three months after finishing the video-based intervention, participants showed significantly reduced fear of progression (d = −0.23), depression (d = −0.27), and fatigue (d = −0.24) compared to the baseline. However, there was no change in anxiety (d = −0.09). Findings indicated marginal improvements in mental distress when using video-based intervention for cancer patients for up to three months, but long-term effectiveness must be confirmed using a controlled design.

Keywords: cancer; psycho-oncology; eHealth; supportive care intervention; psychoeducation; mind–body intervention; distress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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