A Trial of Couplelinks.ca
Summary
Women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) at or before the age of 40 experience more distress and poorer quality of life than women diagnosed later in life. (1-6) Although adequate spousal support is a protective factor for women with BC, (7-11) spouses are often unprepared to handle the myriad of practical and emotional demands posed by the illness. (12-16) Furthermore, despite the growing number of recommendations for couple interventions in relation to BC, (6,12,17-22) traditional counselling approaches may fail to meet the needs of young couples who have unique concerns and tight constraints on their time. The proposed project addresses the void in the psycho-social support available to young couples via an innovative, online psychoeducational intervention tailored specifically to their needs.
Couplelinks.ca is a custom-designed website offering a professionally facilitated, couple-centred intervention that entails informational, experiential, and interactive components. Six Dyadic Learning Modules (DLM) form the core of the program and are undertaken on a weekly basis. The proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the next logical step following completion of a funded pilot study examining the feasibility and benefit of the program. In this Phase I study, a non-randomized, pre-post test design is being employed to assess the process and outcomes of the intervention. Qualitative feedback is also informing the evaluation. Preliminary findings have been promising and warrant further evaluation of the program's effectiveness. In Phase II of this program of research, we will determine whether this BC-specific, relationship-enhancement program leads to improved relationship and psychological outcomes for young couples affected by BC.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Active Control, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Conditions
Distress
Intervention
couplinks website
Location
BC Cancer Agency, Fraser Valley Centre
Surrey
British Columbia
Canada
V3V 1Z2
Status
Not yet recruiting
Source
British Columbia Cancer Agency
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01089764
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Published on BioPortfolio: 2014-08-27T03:15:05-0400
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Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
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A website that contains conversational personal reflections, comments and sometimes links to other sites; typically run by an individual or small group.
Hoarding Disorder
Disordered behavior associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning and persistent difficulty parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save the items and distress associated with discarding them. (from DSM-V) The quantity of collected items sets the behavior apart from normal collecting behaviors.
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