Psychological distress is common among Vietnamese cancer patients but often underestimated and not detected by professionals due to lack of time and overload of clinical work. Currently no established, evidence-based intervention exists to help address the mental health needs of cancer patients in Viet Nam besides the 'Stronger Together' peer mentoring intervention model that the investigators piloted in 2021-2023. The goal of this 2-arm, parallel, single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to pilot and evaluate the Vietnamese Self Help Plus (vSH+) stress management intervention among breast and gynecologic cancer patients in Viet Nam. Aim 1- the investigators pilot the adapted vSH+ intervention. After recruitment and screening, participants are randomized into either the intervention (vSH+) or enhanced usual care (EUC) study arms. Participants are invited to attend an in-person informational session (IS) specific to their study arm, where informed consent is obtained. Aim 2- the investigators assess the potential effectiveness of the vSH+ intervention. Quantitative surveys of study outcomes measures are administered at three timepoints: T0 (baseline, in-person, during info-sessions); T1 (1-2 weeks post-intervention, via phone); and T2 (3 months post-intervention, via phone). Aim 3- the investigators conduct a qualitative process evaluation, via in-depth interview (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), to assess the acceptability and feasibility implementing and scaling up the vSH+ intervention model. Satisfaction surveys will be administered during vSH+ sessions and in-depth interviews (IDIs) will be conducted following the conclusion of the intervention. IDIs wil also be conducted with Facilitators, in addition to evaluation surveys during vSH+ sessions and supportive supervision sessions. Between T1 and T2, the investigators will conduct IDIs with Healthcare Workers and focus group discussions with Caregivers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
285
vSH+ is a stress management program delivered through four 75-minute sessions. It includes the five core SH+ skills. Healthcare workers (nurses and social workers) function as lead facilitators (called 'HW Facilitators') and cancer survivors as co-facilitators (called 'Peer Facilitators').
An illustrated guide developed by WHO to equip people with practical skills to help cope with stress which has been translated to Vietnamese and reviewed and revised by the investigators.
Can Tho Oncology Hospital
Can Tho, Vietnam
RECRUITINGOncology Center, Cho Ray Hospital
Chợ Rây, Vietnam
RECRUITINGDa Nang Oncology Hospital
Da Nang, Vietnam
RECRUITINGBreast and Gynecology Department, Hung Vuong Women's Hospital
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
RECRUITINGHo Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
RECRUITINGOncology Center, Hue Central Hospital
Huế, Vietnam
RECRUITINGChange in severity of depression
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9) is a 9 item questionnaire with each item scored from 0 to 3. Scores can range from 0 to 27 (scores of 5-9 are classified as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression).
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months
Change in Anxiety
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items Scale (GAD-7) is a 7 item instrument with each item scored between 0 and 3 where 0=not at all, and 3= nearly every day. Scores can range from 0 to 21 and are interpreted as-- scores 0-4: Minimal Anxiety, scores 5-9: Mild Anxiety, scores 10-14: Moderate Anxiety, and scores greater than 15: Severe Anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months
Change in general quality of life
General quality of life will be assessed using the EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Levels Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). The five dimensions include: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression. Each dimension is rated at five different levels from no problems to the most extreme problems. The questionnaire also includes a visual analog scale asking respondents to rate their current health from 0 (worst health imaginable) to 100 (best health imaginable)
Time frame: Baseline,1 month, 3 months
Change in quality of life related to cancer patients' health
Quality of life related to cancer patients' health will be measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General, version 4 (FACT-G). This questionnaire includes 27 questions to evaluate 4 domains: physical, social/family, emotional, and functional. Each question is rated on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much) based on the patient's experience over the last 7 days.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months
Change in cancer coping
Cancer coping will be measured using the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC). It consists of five scales: helpless/hopeless, anxious preoccupation, fighting spirit, cognitive avoidance, and fatalism. It has 29 tems on a 4-point Likert scale: 1 (definitely does not apply) to 4 (definitely applies).
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months
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