Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of brief coaching calls in Healthy Living after Cancer Online: a randomised control trial (#166)

Morgan Leske 1 , Bogda Koczwara 2 3 , Elizabeth Eakin 4 , Camille Short 5 , Anthony Daly 6 , Jon Degner 7 , Lisa Beatty 1
  1. College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Finders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University , Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Faculty of Medicine , University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
  5. Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences , The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  6. Cancer Council SA, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  7. Cancer Voices, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Aim: Healthy Living after Cancer Online is a co-designed physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial web-delivered intervention for post-treatment cancer survivors. Previous research demonstrated low program uptake and usage, with feedback identifying a lack of accountability and information overload as factors. This study evaluated whether adding two 15-minute telephone coaching calls to the intervention improved usage and outcomes.

Methods: Fifty-two Australian post-treatment cancer survivors were randomised to receive the program in a self-guided format (HLaC Online; n=27) or with brief telephone support (HLaC Online+coaching; n=25). Participants were asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks later), and one-month follow-up. Feasibility was measured via intervention uptake, usage, adherence, usability, satisfaction, and attrition. Between-group effects were quantified using Cohen’s d. Participants specified at baseline their intended module use; adherence was defined as the proportion of their completed nominated modules. Preliminary efficacy outcomes included quality of life, physical activity, nutrition, distress, and cancer-related symptoms. Differences between groups and the clinical significance of change over time will be examined using repeated measures linear mixed model analyses and reliable change indices.

Results: Overall, 47 participants received their allocated intervention. Five (HLaC Online+coaching n=4, and HLaC Online n=1) dropped out due to personal reasons, cancer recurrence, or technical difficulties. HLaC Online+coaching participants accessed more modules (M=5.1, SD=3.3 vs M=3.2, SD=4.0, d=0.5) and had higher adherence (M=61.2%, SD=0.4% vs M=34.4%, SD=0.4%, d=0.64). Those allocated to HLaC Online+coaching rated usability (M =74.16, SD=17.7 vs M=63.1, SD=26.6, d=0.49) and satisfaction (M=26.5, SD=3.38 vs M=22.0, SD=5.94, d=0.94) higher than HLaC Online participants. Analyses of preliminary efficacy outcomes are ongoing and complete results will be available at the time of the presentation.

Discussion: The initial findings support the implementation of telephone coaching calls to improve the feasibility of HLaC Online and highlight the importance of co-designing interventions.