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Randomized controlled trial of a brief cognitive‐behavioral strategies intervention for the pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance symptom cluster in advanced cancer
Author(s) -
Kwekkeboom Kristine,
Zhang Yingzi,
Campbell Toby,
Coe Christopher L.,
Costanzo Erin,
Serlin Ronald C.,
Ward Sandra
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4883
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , psychological intervention , sleep disorder , medicine , anxiety , distress , intervention (counseling) , perceived stress scale , physical therapy , cognition , clinical psychology , psychiatry , stress (linguistics) , linguistics , philosophy
Objective Patients receiving treatment for advanced cancer suffer significant symptom burden, including co‐occurring pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. There is limited evidence for effective interventions targeting this common symptom cluster. Methods A randomized controlled trial of a brief cognitive‐behavioral strategies (CBS) intervention was conducted. A sample of 164 patients with advanced cancer receiving chemotherapy practiced imagery, relaxation, and distraction exercises or listened to cancer education recordings (attention‐control) to manage co‐occurring pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance over a 9‐week period. Symptom cluster severity, distress, and interference with daily life were measured at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 weeks. We also evaluated the moderating influence of imaging ability and number of concurrent symptoms, and mediating effects of changes in stress, anxiety, outcome expectancy, and perceived control over symptoms. Results Compared with the cancer education condition, participants receiving the CBS intervention reported less symptom cluster distress at week 6 (M = 1.82 vs 2.15 on a 0‐4 scale, P < .05). No other group differences were statistically significant. The number of concurrent symptoms moderated the intervention effect on symptom cluster interference. Changes in stress, outcome expectancy, and perceived control mediated the extent of intervention effects on symptom outcomes, primarily at weeks 6 and 9. Conclusions The brief CBS intervention had limited effects in this trial. However, findings regarding potential mediators affirm hypothesized mechanisms and provide insight into ways to strengthen future interventions to reduce the suffering associated with co‐occurring pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.