Cancer, Cancer (Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma)
Conditions
Keywords
EHealth, Self-Management, Educational Intervention
Brief summary
Brief Summary This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured eHealth-based educational and support intervention in improving self-management practices and psychological coping behaviors among adult cancer patients. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with study and control groups, the intervention integrates online education, interactive sessions, and digital communication platforms to enhance symptom management, emotional regulation, and adaptive coping strategies. The findings aim to inform scalable digital health solutions in oncology care.
Detailed description
Cancer patients often experience complex physical and psychological challenges related to disease progression and treatment side effects. eHealth interventions offer accessible, personalized, and cost-effective tools that support patient engagement, self-efficacy, and coping. This study applies a structured eHealth intervention grounded in Self-Determination Theory to enhance autonomy, competence, and relatedness among cancer patients. The intervention includes synchronous online sessions, digital educational materials, and ongoing communication via mobile platforms over six weeks. Outcomes are measured using validated self-management and coping scales before and after the intervention. The study contributes evidence on the effectiveness of digital health interventions within the Saudi Arabian healthcare context.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStructured eHealth Educational Intervention
The intervention consists of structured online educational sessions delivered via video conferencing platforms, supported by digital educational materials including videos and informational resources. The program incorporates scenario-based discussions, peer interaction, and continuous follow-up communication. The content focuses on symptom self-management, emotional regulation, and adaptive coping strategies for cancer patients.
Sponsors
Zagazig University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Masking description
This is an open-label study. Participants and investigators are aware of group assignments.
Intervention model description
Participants receive a structured eHealth intervention over 6 weeks, including: * Online educational sessions (Zoom / Google Meet) * Digital learning materials (videos, posters, pamphlets) * Scenario-based discussions and peer interaction * Continuous communication and reminders via WhatsApp * Focus areas: symptom self-management, emotional regulation, adaptive coping strategies Control Group Participants receive standard educational materials only (limited sessions without interactive eHealth components).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male and female adult cancer patients * Diagnosed with cancer and currently receiving chemotherapy * Able to read and understand Arabic * Own a mobile phone and able to use online applications (e.g., Zoom or similar platforms) * Willing to participate in the eHealth educational program * Provided informed consent to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorders that interfere with participation * Patients with critical health conditions preventing attendance in the intervention sessions * Patients who participated in similar structured educational or coping programs during the study period * Patients unwilling to complete baseline or follow-up assessments
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Score | Baseline and 6 weeks (immediately post-intervention) | Measured using the Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale (SMSE) developed by Liang et al. (2015). The scale consists of 27 items across three subscales: acquiring problem-solving (7 items), managing chemotherapy-related symptoms (15 items), and managing emotional and interpersonal disturbance (5 items). Each item is scored on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all confident) to 10 (completely confident). The total possible score ranges from 0 to 270. Higher scores indicate greater perceived self-efficacy in symptom management. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Coping Behavior Score | Baseline and 6 weeks (post-intervention) | Measured using the Jalowiec Coping Scale developed by Jalowiec and Powers (1981). The scale includes 40 items divided into two subscales: affective-oriented coping (25 items) and problem-oriented coping (15 items). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (always). The total possible score ranges from 0 to 160. Higher scores indicate greater use of coping strategies. |
| Correlation Between Self-Efficacy and Coping Scores | 6 weeks (post-intervention) | Assessment of the correlation between total Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale scores and total Jalowiec Coping Scale scores at post-intervention. |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed