A systematic review of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of online supportive care interventions targeting men with a history of prostate cancer

Abstract

Purpose To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of online supportive care interventions targeting prostate cancer survivors (PCS). Methods Studies were identified through structured searches of PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO databases, and bibliographic review. Inclusion criteria were (1) examined feasibility, acceptability, or efficacy of an online intervention designed to improve supportive care outcomes for PCS; (2) presented outcome data collected from PCS separately (if mixed cancer); and (3) evaluated efficacy outcomes using randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Results Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria; ten were classified as RCTs. Overall, 2446 men (average age 64 years) were included. Studies reported on the following outcomes: feasibility and acceptability of an online intervention (e.g., patient support, online medical record/follow-ups, or decision aids); reducing decisional conflict/distress; improving cancer-related distress and health-related quality of life; and satisfaction with cancer care. Conclusion We found good preliminary evidence for online supportive care among PCS, but little high level evidence. Generally, the samples were small and unrepresentative. Further, inadequate acceptability measures made it difficult to determine actual PCS acceptability and satisfaction, and lack of control groups precluded strong conclusions regarding efficacy. Translation also appears minimal; few interventions are still publicly available. Larger trials with appropriate control groups and greater emphasis on translation of effective interventions is recommended. Implications for Cancer Survivors Prostate cancer survivors have a variety of unmet supportive care needs. Using online delivery to improve the reach of high-quality supportive care programs could have a positive impact on health-related quality of life among PCS.

Mapping Canadian Men’s Recent and Intended Health Behavior Changes Through the Don’t Change Much Electronic Health Program

“…This study’s findings confirm the potential of men’s eHealth programs as previously described in a range of contexts and diverse studies [ 7 , 14 - 25 ]. Adding to the literature focused on understanding men’s eHealth acceptability, engagement, and behavior change, this study contributes some important empirical insights and supports calls for future research to more fully investigate dose-response relationships with randomized controlled trials [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Men’s eHealth programs have grown significantly to deliver diverse information and services across ever expansive platforms (ie, web, social media, and email). The wide variety of men’s eHealth programs include interventions tailored to address weight loss [ 14 ], smoking cessation [ 15 ], prenatal health education [ 16 ], fathering [ 17 ], depression management [ 7 , 18 ], sexual health [ 19 - 24 ], and prostate cancer [ 25 ]. Although there are claims that eHealth resources can engage diverse subgroups of men, satiating their preferences for anonymity and self-directed health help-seeking, two significant issues prevail.…”

“…Klein et al’s [ 24 ] quasi-experimental, 2-arm study evaluated Real Talk (an eHealth harm reduction intervention targeting black men who have sex with men) reported end user’s HIV knowledge gains (although there were no significant differences between Real Talk and the control participant’s actual condom use or other risk reduction strategies). Although the aforementioned and many other men’s eHealth evaluation studies have been limited by small samples, attrition, and/or a lack of control groups, the results are encouraging [ 25 , 26 ]. In sum, acceptability and evaluation studies confirm the strong potential of men’s eHealth programs amid calls for more evidence to efficiently guide future work and confidently claim sustained health behavior change effects.…”

Optimising Web-Based Computer-Tailored Physical Activity Interventions for Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining the Impact of Website Architecture on User Engagement

“…Given the relatively short duration of the current study, and that dropout tends to increase overtime, a higher retention rate could be expected in our study. Further, even though the recruitment period was doubled in time, this study did not reach the recruitment target, similar to issues noted in other men's health research [54,55]. This indicates a major feasibility issue, and limits the ability to discern differences, particularly in secondary outcomes.…”

Evaluating a Web- and Telephone-based Personalised Exercise Intervention for Individuals Living With Metastatic Prostate Cancer (Exerciseguide): Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

“…In brief, a qualitative interview study (N = 18) was completed to better understand the needs and preferences of individuals in this population. This was conducted alongside a systematic review of online interventions for prostate cancer patients to determine feasibility, acceptability and e cacy, as well as factors associated with success (or failure) (38). These studies highlighted that online supportive care interventions are acceptable in individuals with prostate cancer.…”