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Randomized controlled trial of a telephone-based peer-support program for women carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation: impact on psychological distress
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posted on 2014-12-20, 00:00 authored by Vicki WhiteVicki White, M-A Young, A Farrelly, B Meiser, M Jefford, E Williamson, S Ieropoli, J Duffy, I WinshipPURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a telephone-based peer-delivered intervention in reducing distress among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. The intervention involved trained peer volunteers contacting women multiple times over a 4-month period to provide informational, emotional, and practical support. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-seven participants completed the baseline questionnaire, and those reporting interest in talking to other mutation carriers were randomly assigned to either the usual care group (UCG; n = 102) or the intervention group (IG; n = 105). Participants and researchers were not blinded to group allocation. Two follow-up questionnaires were completed, one at the end of the intervention (4 months after random assignment, time 2) and one 2 months later (time 3). Outcomes included breast cancer distress (primary outcome), unmet information needs, cognitive appraisals about mutation testing, and feelings of isolation. RESULTS: There was a greater decrease in breast cancer distress scores in the IG than UCG at time 2 (mean difference, -5.96; 95% CI, -9.80 to -2.12; P = .002) and time 3 (mean difference, -3.94; 95% CI, -7.70 to -0.17; P = .04). There was a greater reduction in unmet information needs in the IG than UCG (P < .01), with unmet needs being lower in the IG than UCG at time 2. There was a greater reduction in Cognitive Appraisals About Genetic Testing stress subscale scores in the IG than UCG (P = .02), with significantly lower scores among the IG than UCG at time 2 (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The intervention is effective in reducing distress and unmet information needs for this group of women. Identifying strategies for prolonging intervention effects is warranted.
History
Journal
Journal of Clinical OncologyVolume
32Issue
36Pagination
4073 - 4080Publisher
American Society of Clinical OncologyLocation
Alexandria, Va.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0732-183XeISSN
1527-7755Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2014, American Society of Clinical OncologyUsage metrics
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Keywords
AdultFemaleGenes, BRCA1Genes, BRCA2HumansMiddle AgedMutationPeer GroupStress, PsychologicalTelephoneScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineOncologyBREAST-CANCERDECISION AIDSOCIAL SUPPORTOVARIAN-CANCERINCREASED RISKCARRIERSINTERVENTIONSURGERYMULTICENTERRECURRENCEHealth, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
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