Coping Skills Training Intervention Research Articles

Developing the WE BEAT Well-Being Education Programme to foster resilience and build connection in paediatric heart disease.

The study of psychological well-being and related resilient outcomes is of increasing focus in cardiovascular research. Despite the critical importance of psychological well-being and related resilient outcomes in promoting optimal cardiac health, there have been very few psychological interventions directed towards children with heart disease. This paper describes the development and theoretical framework of the WE BEAT Wellbeing Education Program, a group-based psychoeducation and coping skills training intervention designed to improve psychological well-being and resilience in adolescents with paediatric heart disease. Program development was informed by patient and family needs and input gathered via large, international survey methods as well as qualitative investigation, a theoretical framework, and related resilience intervention research. An overview of the WE BEAT intervention components and structure of the programme is provided. The WE BEAT Wellbeing Education Program was developed as one of the first resiliency-focused interventions in paediatric heart disease with an overall objective to foster positive psychological well-being and resilient outcomes through a health promotion and prevention lens in an accessible format while providing access to safe, peer-to-peer community building. Feasibility pilot results are forthcoming. Future directions include mobile app-based delivery and larger-scale efficacy and implementation trials.

MHealth Coping Skills Training for Symptom Management (mCOPE) for colorectal cancer patients in early to mid-adulthood: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) patients in early to mid-adulthood (≤50 years) are challenged by high symptom burden (i.e., pain, fatigue, distress) and age-related stressors (e.g., managing family, work). Cognitive behavioral theory (CBT)-based coping skills training interventions reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer patients. However, traditional CBT-based interventions are not accessible to these patients (e.g., in-person sessions, during work day), nor designed to address symptoms within the context of this stage of life. We developed a mobile health (mHealth) coping skills training program for pain, fatigue and distress (mCOPE) for CRC patients in early to mid-adulthood. We utilize a randomized controlled trial to test the extent to which mCOPE reduces pain, fatigue and distress (multiple primary outcomes) and improves quality of life and symptom self-efficacy (secondary outcomes). Methods/DesignPatients (N = 160) ≤50 years with CRC endorsing pain, fatigue and/or distress are randomized 1:1 to mCOPE or standard care. mCOPE is a five-session CBT-based coping skills training program (e.g., relaxation, activity pacing, cognitive restructuring) that was adapted for CRC patients in early to mid-adulthood. mCOPE utilizes mHealth technology (e.g., videoconference, mobile app) to deliver coping skills training, capture symptom and skills use data, and provide personalized support and feedback. Self-report assessments are completed at baseline, post-treatment (5–8 weeks post-baseline; primary endpoint), and 3- and 6-months later. ConclusionsmCOPE is innovative and potentially impactful for CRC patients in early to mid-adulthood. Hypothesis confirmation would demonstrate initial efficacy of a mHealth cognitive behavioral intervention to reduce symptom burden in younger CRC patients.

The Effect of Virtual coping skills training on self-efficacy of adolescents with type 1 diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A pilot study

Background: Type 1 diabetes patients may find it difficult to cope with diabetes-related stress, which can be improved by accessible interventions. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether coping skill training could increase self-efficacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study population was adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at Tehran Diabetes Center during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown from June to August 2021. Sixteen adolescents with type 1 diabetes were selected using a purposeful sampling method. The participants were divided into experimental (n=9) and control groups (n=7). The measurement tool was the General Self-Efficacy Scale. A total of eight sessions of coping skill training took place for the experimental group; no intervention was performed for the control group. A multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing SPSS, Version 23. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of age sex, and baseline score of self-efficacy. In the posttest, self-efficacy score significantly improved in the intervention (71.52, SD=13.86) compared to the control group (48.13, SD=12.96) (F=18.97, P<0.001, η2=0.59). Conclusion: According to this study, adolescents with type 1 diabetes who received training in coping skills showed increased self-efficacy. As a result, it can be concluded that adolescents with type 1 diabetes need coping skills training interventions, including self-management support.

Effects of a Weight and Pain Management Program in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Investigation.

Obesity is associated with poor outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Effective weight management is imperative. Although traditional lifestyle behavioral weight loss programs have demonstrated efficacy for reducing weight, these interventions do not meet the pain-related weight loss challenges of RA patients with obesity. A 12-session group program (90 minutes per session) was developed integrating pain coping skills training into a lifestyle behavioral weight loss intervention. In addition to the weekly group sessions, participants engaged in supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week. Through a small, pilot randomized trial, 50 participants were randomized to receive the intervention (n = 29) or standard care of RA (n = 21). Feasibility data (i.e., accrual, attrition, adherence) was examined using descriptive statistics (e.g., percent). We examined patterns of change in study outcomes from baseline to follow-up separately for the intervention and standard care arms using descriptive statistics and paired t tests. Effect sizes are also presented. Of those randomized to the intervention group,79.3% initiated treatment, with participants attending 74.3% of group skills sessions and 64.2% of exercise sessions. Intervention participants evidenced reductions in weight (mean, -2.28 kg) and waist circumference (mean, -4.76 cm) and improvements in physical functioning, eating behaviors, pain, and self-efficacy for weight control. Findings suggest that incorporating a combined pain coping skills training and behavioral weight loss intervention into medical management of RA may improve outcomes. Study accrual and attrition, as well as intervention adherence, will inform future, larger randomized efficacy trials of the intervention.Retrospectively registered: January 29, 2020, NCT04246827.

STRategies to Improve Pain and Enjoy life (STRIPE): Protocol for a pragmatic randomized trial of pain coping skills training and opioid medication taper guidance for patients on long-term opioid therapy

High-dose, long-term opioid therapy (LtOT) is associated with risk for serious harms. Rapid opioid discontinuation may lead to increased pain, psychological distress, and illicit opioid use, but gradual, supported opioid taper may reduce these risks. We previously demonstrated that an opioid taper support and pain coping skills training intervention reduced opioid dose more than usual care (43% vs 19% dose reduction from baseline), with no increase in pain intensity and a significant reduction in activity interference. We aim to adapt and test this intervention in the Kaiser Permanente Washington healthcare system with STRategies to Improve Pain and Enjoy life (STRIPE, NCT03743402), a pragmatic, randomized trial. Our goal was to randomize 215 participants on moderate-high dose (≥40 morphine milligram equivalent/day) LtOT to either cognitive-behavioral therapy-based pain coping skills training involving 18 telephone sessions over 52 weeks with optional opioid taper support or usual care. Data are collected from electronic health records, claims, and self-report. The primary outcomes are mean daily opioid dose and the pain intensity, interference with enjoyment of life, and interference with general activity (PEG) score at 12 months (primary time point) and 6 months (secondary time point). Secondary outcomes include having ≥30% opioid dose reduction from baseline, and patient-reported problem opioid use, opioid-related difficulties, pain self-efficacy, opioid craving, global impression of change, and anxiety and depressive symptoms at 6 and 12 months. If effective, this treatment could reduce opioid exposure and associated risks to patients, families, and communities while offering patients an alternative for managing pain.

Caregiver-guided pain coping skills training for patients with advanced cancer: Results from a randomized clinical trial

Background: Pain is a major concern among patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Evidence suggests that pain coping skills training interventions can improve outcomes, however they have rarely been tested in this population. Aim: To test the efficacy of a caregiver-guided pain coping skills training intervention. The primary outcome was caregiver self-efficacy for helping the patient manage pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial compared the intervention to an enhanced treatment-as-usual control. Dyads in both conditions received pain education, and those in the intervention received three sessions of pain coping skills training. Caregiver outcomes (self-efficacy; caregiver strain, caregiving satisfaction, psychological distress) and patient outcomes (self-efficacy, pain intensity and interference, psychological distress) were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Setting/participants: Two hundred two patients with stage III–IV cancer and pain and their family caregivers were enrolled from four outpatient oncology clinics and a free-standing hospice/palliative care organization. Results: Compared to those in the control arm, caregivers in the intervention reported significant increases in caregiving satisfaction (p < 0.01) and decreased anxiety (p = 0.04). In both conditions, caregivers reported improvements in self-efficacy, and patients reported improvements in self-efficacy, pain severity and interference, and psychological distress. Conclusions: This is the first study to test a pain coping skills intervention targeted to patients and caregivers facing advanced cancer. Findings suggest that pain education provides benefits for patients and caregivers, and coping skills training may be beneficial for caregivers. Further research is needed to optimize the benefits of education and pain coping skills training for improving cancer pain outcomes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02430467, Caregiver-Guided Pain Management Training in Palliative Care

Feasibility, engagement, and acceptability of a behavioral pain management intervention for colorectal cancer survivors with pain and psychological distress: data from a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Colorectal cancer survivors report pain and psychological distress to be burdensome long-term cancer consequences. Quality cancer survivorship care includes interventions for managing these symptoms. Yet, no studies have tested the efficacy of an accessible behavioral intervention for colorectal cancer survivors with pain and comorbid psychological distress. This paper reports on the feasibility (i.e., accrual, attrition, and adherence to study procedures), engagement, acceptability, and descriptive outcomes of a telephone-based coping skills training (CST) intervention. This randomized pilot trial assigned colorectal cancer patients (N=31) to 5 sessions of CST or standard care. CST sessions focused on cognitive-behavioral theory-based coping skills tailored to colorectal cancer symptoms of pain and psychological distress. Participants completed assessments of pain severity, self-efficacy for pain management, health-related quality of life, and psychological distress at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Data indicated strong feasibility, evidenced by high completion rates for intervention sessions and assessments (93% completed all sessions; M=48.7 days; baseline=100%; post-treatment=97%; 3-month follow-up=94%). Participants demonstrated robust engagement with CST (M days per week with reported skills use=3.8) and reported high protocol satisfaction (M=3.6/4.0). Descriptive statistics showed self-efficacy for pain management and health-related quality of life improved for all participants. Findings suggest that a telephone-based CST intervention has strong feasibility, evidenced by accrual, low attrition, and adherence to intervention sessions and assessments. Likewise, participant engagement and acceptability with CST were high. These data provide a foundation for larger randomized efficacy trials of the telephone-based CST intervention.

Behavioral cancer pain intervention using videoconferencing and a mobile application for medically underserved patients: Rationale, design, and methods of a prospective multisite randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWomen with breast cancer in medically underserved areas are particularly vulnerable to persistent pain and disability. Behavioral pain interventions reduce pain and improve outcomes. Cancer patients in medically underserved areas receive limited adjunctive cancer care, as many lack access to pain therapists trained in behavioral interventions, face travel barriers to regional medical centers, and may have low literacy and limited resources. mHealth technologies have the potential to decrease barriers but must be carefully adapted for, and efficacy-tested with, medically underserved patients. We developed an mHealth behavioral pain coping skills training intervention (mPCST-Community). We now utilize a multisite randomized controlled trial to: 1) test the extent mPCST-Community reduces breast cancer patients' pain severity (primary outcome), pain interference, fatigue, physical disability, and psychological distress; 2) examine potential mediators of intervention effects; and 3) evaluate the intervention's cost and cost-effectiveness. Methods/designBreast cancer patients (N = 180) will be randomized to mPCST-Community or an attention control. mPCST-Community's four-session protocol will be delivered via videoconferencing at an underserved community clinic by a remote pain therapist at a major medical center. Videoconference sessions will be supplemented with a mobile application. Participants will complete self-report measures at baseline, post-intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. ConclusionsmPCST-Community has the potential to reduce pain and disability, and decrease barriers for cancer patients in medically underserved areas. This is one of the first trials to test an mHealth behavioral cancer pain intervention developed specifically for medically underserved communities. If successful, it could lead to widespread implementation and decreased health disparities.

Telephone-based motivational interviewing enhanced with individualised personality-specific coping skills training for young people with alcohol-related injuries and illnesses accessing emergency or rest/recovery services: a randomized controlled trial (QuikFix).

Recent meta-analyses of motivational interviewing (MI) for reducing risky alcohol use in young people have reported modest effects. Few studies have targeted individual patient factors to increase MI effectiveness. This study determined if MI enhanced with individualised personality-specific coping skills training (QuikFix) was more efficacious than standard MI or an assessment feedback/information (AF/I) control among young people with alcohol-related injuries or illnesses. Single-centre, single-blind, three-group superiority randomized controlled trial with 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months follow-ups. Telephone intervention, Brisbane, Australia. A total of 398 young people (16-25years; M age=20.30years, SD=2.12; 54% female) with alcohol-related injuries and/or illnesses were recruited from an emergency department (ED) or rest/recovery service (RRS). The primary outcome was total standard (10 g ethanol) drinks in the past month (Timeline Follow back [TLFB]) at 12months (primary time point). Secondary outcomes were total drinking days and standard drinks per drinking day (TLFB) in the past month and the frequency of alcohol-related problems in the past 3months (Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index). Young people were randomized to two sessions of QuikFix enhanced with individualised personality-specific coping skills training (n=132), two sessions of MI (n=136) or one session of AF/I (n=130), all delivered by telehealth. QuikFix resulted in greater reductions (all P<0.0017) in the primary outcome of total standard drinks (M=19.50, CI 99.75%=[11.31, 27.68]) than both MI (M=32.61, CI 99.75%=[24.82, 40.40]; Cohen's D=0.40) and AF/I (M=34.12, CI 99.75%=[26.59, 41.65]; D=0.45) at 12months (retention n=324/398, 81%). QuikFix had greater reductions on drinking days (M=3.16, CI 99.75%=[2.37, 3.96]) than both MI (M=4.53, CI 99.75%=[3.57, 5.48];D=0.38) and AF/I (M=4.69, CI 99.75%=[3.73, 5.65];D=0.42) and fewer drinks per drinking day (M=5.02, CI 99.75%=[3.71, 6.33]) than AF/I (M=7.15, CI 99.75%=[5.93, 8.38;D=0.47) at 12months. Young people with alcohol-related injuries and/or illnesses who attended ED and rest/recovery services and received an individualised personality-specific coping skills training intervention (QuikFix) had greater reductions in the amount of alcohol consumed at 12months compared with those who received motivational interviewing or an assessment feedback/information intervention.

Improving health engagement and lifestyle management for breast cancer survivors with diabetes

Breast cancer survivors with type 2 diabetes are at high risk for cancer recurrence, serious health complications, more severe symptoms, psychological distress, and premature death relative to breast cancer survivors without diabetes. Maintaining glycemic control is critical for decreasing symptoms and preventing serious health problems. Many breast cancer survivors with type 2 diabetes have difficulty maintaining diabetes self-management behaviors and achieving glycemic control. Both cancer and diabetes-related symptoms (e.g., physical symptoms and psychological distress) are often barriers to engaging in diabetes self-management strategies. This study evaluates a novel diabetes coping skills training (DCST) intervention for improving breast cancer survivors' abilities to manage symptoms and adhere to recommended diabetes self-management behaviors. The telephone-based DCST protocol integrates three key theory-based strategies: coping skills training for managing symptoms, adherence skills training, and healthy lifestyle skills training. A randomized clinical trial will test the DCST intervention plus diabetes education by comparing it to diabetes education alone. Symptoms, distress, diabetes self-management behaviors, and self-efficacy will be assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) will be assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months. This study addresses a critical gap in the care of breast cancer survivors by evaluating a novel behavioral intervention to improve the management of symptoms, adherence, and glycemic control in breast cancer survivors with type 2 diabetes. Special considerations for this medically underserved population are also provided. The findings of this study could lead to significant improvements in clinical care and beneficial outcomes for breast cancer survivors.Trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02970344, registered 11/22/2016.

Psychological interventions for adherence, metabolic control, and coping with stress in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review.

The aim of this review was to summarize and identify the variations in the effectiveness of psychological interventions on adherence, metabolic control, and coping with stress in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). An electronic search of literature was performed using PubMed (NLM), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL Plus (EBSCOhost), PsycINFO (Ovid), and Google Scholar. The search was limited to include articles reported the effect of one of the psychological interventions: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), coping skills training (CST), stress management, or psychotherapy intervention. The report included peer-reviewed articles published in English from January 1990 until May 2019 in adolescents with T1D, and summarizes the results of 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Psychological interventions showed differential effects on adherence, metabolic control, and coping with stress in adolescents with T1D. Behavioral interventions using principles of CBT appear to have a superior positive effect on regimen adherence compared with other types of psychological protocols. In contrast, metabolic control was significantly improved with the implementation of CST and some forms of CBT. Stress management and psychotherapy interventions showed significant promises for adolescents to cope with their diabetes-related daily stressors. However, the findings may add some promises to diabetes management in adolescents, additional research to understand the effect of these interventions is needed.

Predictors of Intervention Session Completion in a Randomized Clinical Trial of a Behavioral Cancer Pain Intervention

ContextSome patients with cancer are able to complete psychosocial pain management intervention sessions, and others find it difficult to do so. ObjectivesConduct a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (N = 178) that compared delivery formats (in-person vs. videoconference) of a pain coping skills training (PCST) intervention for patients with cancer to examine if intervention session completion predicts postintervention outcomes of pain severity and interference, psychological distress, physical well-being, and pain self-efficacy; and identify predictors (i.e., demographics, medical characteristics, baseline outcome scores) of session completion. MethodsSession completion (i.e., completing all four sessions vs. missing at least one session) was tested as a predictor of postintervention outcomes. Predictors of session completion were then examined. ResultsIn both study conditions combined, PCST session completion predicted improvement from baseline to postintervention in pain severity (β = −0.27; P = 0.03), pain interference (β = −0.25; P = 0.048), and pain self-efficacy (β = 0.23; P = 0.07). Participants in the videoconference condition were significantly more likely than those in the in-person condition to complete all sessions (83% vs. 65%; P = 0.006). Participants with at least some college education (odds ratio [OR] 4.36; P = 0.04), a diagnosis of breast cancer (OR 6.73; P = 0.04), and higher levels of pain self-efficacy (OR 2.32; P = 0.02) were more likely to complete videoconference sessions. Participants who lived closer to the medical center (OR 0.64; P = 0.07), had early stage cancer (OR 3.82; P = 0.07), and fewer medical comorbidities (OR 0.59; P = 0.04) were more likely to complete in-person sessions. ConclusionCompleting PCST sessions is important for improving pain outcomes. Efforts to increase session completion (e.g., videoconference delivery) should be considered.

An Adaptive Dyadic Self-directed Coping and Self-management Skills Training Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals With Cancer: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) Design

An Adaptive Dyadic Self-directed Coping and Self-management Skills Training Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals With Cancer: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) Design

Psychosocial interventions for informal caregivers of lung cancer patients: A systematic review.

Caregivers of patients with lung cancer often face physical, emotional, and financial distress, which not only negatively affects the caregivers' mental health and quality of life but may also impact patients' well-being. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the content, delivery, and efficacy of psychosocial interventions targeting caregivers of lung cancer patients. Studies included in this systematic review assessed psychosocial interventions for caregivers of lung cancer patients that were published in English between January 2009 and December 2017. These interventions focused on burden, mental health, quality of life, self-efficacy, and/or coping as outcome measures. CINAHL, PubMed, PsycInfo, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were searched using the terms (lung cancer OR lung neoplasms OR thoracic cancer) AND (caregiver OR caregiving) AND (intervention OR program) to systematically review the relevant literature on this topic. From the 22 studies included in this systematic review, interventions were classified into four categories: communication-based interventions, coping skills training interventions, multicomponent interventions, and stress reduction interventions. The majority of the interventions (especially communication-based and multicomponent) led to improvement, albeit not always statistically significant, in one or more outcomes; however, the most frequently reported improvements included, burden, distress, anxiety, depression, overall quality of life, self-efficacy, and coping abilities. The unmet needs of informal caregivers of lung cancer patients have a significant impact on their mental health and quality of life, but this burden can be alleviated by psychosocial interventions that offer appropriate support, education, and resources.

The modifying effects of social support on psychological outcomes in patients with heart failure.

We examined the modifying effects of social support on depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients receiving coping skills training (CST). We considered the modifying effects of social support in the Coping Effectively with Heart Failure clinical trial, which randomized 179 heart failure (HF) patients to either 4 months of CST or usual care enhanced by HF education (HFE). CST involved training in specific coping techniques, whereas HFE involved education about HF self-management. Social support was assessed by the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) Social Support Inventory, QoL was assessed with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), and depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Linear regression models revealed a significant Intervention Group × Baseline Social Support interaction for change in KCCQ total scores (p = .006) and BDI-II scores (p < .001). Participants with low social support assigned to the CST intervention showed large improvements in KCCQ scores (M = 11.2, 95% CI [5.7, 16.8]), whereas low-social-support patients assigned to the HFE controls showed no significant change (M = -0.8, 95% CI [-7.2, 5.6]). Similarly, BDI-II scores in participants with low social support in the CST group showed large reductions (M = -8.7, 95% CI [-11.3, -6.1]) compared with low-social-support HFE participants (M = -3.0, 95% CI [-6.0, -0.1]). HF patients with low social support benefit substantially from telephone-based CST interventions. Targeting HF patients with low social support for behavioral interventions could prove to be a cost-effective strategy for improving QoL and reducing depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Pain coping skills training for African Americans with osteoarthritis study: baseline participant characteristics and comparison to prior studies

BackgroundThe Pain Coping Skills Training for African Americans with OsteoaRTthritis (STAART) trial is examining the effectiveness of a culturally enhanced pain coping skills training (CST) program for African Americans with osteoarthritis (OA). This disparities-focused trial aimed to reach a population with greater symptom severity and risk factors for poor pain-related outcomes than previous studies. This paper compares characteristics of STAART participants with prior studies of CST or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed training in pain coping strategies for OA.MethodsA literature search identified 10 prior trials of pain CST or CBT-informed pain coping training among individuals with OA. We descriptively compared characteristics of STAART participants with other studies, in 3 domains of the National Institutes of Minority Health and Health Disparities’ Research Framework: Sociocultural Environment (e.g., age, education, marital status), Biological Vulnerability and Mechanisms (e.g, pain and function, body mass index), and Health Behaviors and Coping (e.g., pain catastrophizing). Means and standard deviations (SDs) or proportions were calculated for STAART participants and extracted from published manuscripts for comparator studies.ResultsThe mean age of STAART participants, 59 years (SD = 10.3), was lower than 9 of 10 comparator studies; the proportion of individuals with some education beyond high school, 75%, was comparable to comparator studies (61–86%); and the proportion of individuals who are married or living with a partner, 42%, was lower than comparator studies (62–66%). Comparator studies had less than about 1/3 African American participants. Mean scores on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain and function scales were higher (worse) for STAART participants than for other studies, and mean body mass index of STAART participants, 35.2 kg/m2 (SD = 8.2), was higher than all other studies (30–34 kg/m2). STAART participants’ mean score on the Pain Catastrophizing scale, 19.8 (SD = 12.3), was higher (worse) than other studies reporting this measure (7–17).ConclusionsCompared with prior studies with predominantly white samples, STAART participants have worse pain and function and more risk factors for negative pain-related outcomes across several domains. Given STAART participants’ high mean pain catastrophizing scores, this sample may particularly benefit from the CST intervention approach.Trial registrationNCT02560922

An mHealth Pain Coping Skills Training Intervention for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: Development and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPain is a challenge for patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT).ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a Web-based mobile pain coping skills training (mPCST) protocol designed to address the needs of HCT patients.MethodsParticipants had undergone HCT and reported pain following transplant (N=68). To guide intervention development, qualitative data were collected from focus group participants (n=25) and participants who completed user testing (n=7). After their input was integrated into the mPCST intervention, a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT, n=36) was conducted to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of the intervention. Measures of acceptability, pain severity, pain disability, pain self-efficacy, fatigue, and physical disability (self-report and 2-min walk test [2MWT]) were collected.ResultsParticipants in the focus groups and user testing provided qualitative data that were used to iteratively refine the mPCST protocol. Focus group qualitative data included participants’ experiences with pain following transplant, perspectives on ways to cope with pain, and suggestions for pain management for other HCT patients. User testing participants provided feedback on the HCT protocol and information on the use of videoconferencing. The final version of the mPCST intervention was designed to bridge the intensive outpatient (1 in-person session) and home settings (5 videoconferencing sessions). A key component of the intervention was a website that provided personalized messages based on daily assessments of pain and activity. The website also provided intervention materials (ie, electronic handouts, short videos, and audio files). The intervention content included pain coping advice from other transplant patients and instructions on how to apply pain coping skills while engaging in meaningful and leisure activities. In the RCT phase of this research, HCT patients (n=36) were randomized to receive the mPCST intervention or to proceed with the treatment as usual. Results revealed that the mPCST participants completed an average of 5 out of 6 sessions. The participants reported that the intervention was highly acceptable (mean 3/4), and they found the sessions to be helpful (mean 8/10) and easy to understand (mean 7/7). The mPCST participants demonstrated significant improvements in pre- to post-treatment pain, self-efficacy (P=.03, d=0.61), and on the 2MWT (P=.03, d=0.66), whereas the patients in the treatment-as-usual group did not report any such improvements. Significant changes in pain disability and fatigue were found in both groups (multiple P<.02); the magnitudes of the effect sizes were larger for the mPCST group than for the control group (pain disability: d=0.79 vs 0.69; fatigue: d=0.94 vs 0.81). There were no significant changes in pain severity in either group.ConclusionsUsing focus groups and user testing, we developed an mPCST protocol that was feasible, acceptable, and beneficial for HCT patients with pain.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01984671; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01984671 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xbpx3clZ)

Broad Coping Repertoire Mediates the Effect of the Combined Behavioral Intervention on Alcohol Outcomes in the COMBINE Study: An Application of Latent Class Mediation.

Few studies have found support for coping as a mechanism of behavior change (MOBC) following coping skills training interventions for alcohol use disorder (AUD). One potential reason for null findings is heterogeneity in the patterns of coping skills acquired during treatment. This study sought to identify latent classes of coping and to test the latent class variable as a mediator of the effect of a combined behavioral intervention for AUD. Secondary analyses of data from the Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence (COMBINE) Study (N = 1,124; mean age = 44.4 years; 69.1% male; 23.2% non-White), a multisite study of medication and behavioral treatments for individuals with AUD. Latent class mediation models were estimated to test whether patterns of alcohol-specific coping mediated the effect of combined behavioral intervention with medication management, as compared with medication management only, on drinking outcomes 12 months following treatment. Three classes were identified, which differed in repertoire broadness, or the degree in which a wide range of different skills were used. Coping repertoire class was a significant mediator of the effect of the combined behavioral intervention on drinking outcomes. Receiving the combined behavioral intervention, in addition to medication management, predicted a greater likelihood of expected classification in the broad coping repertoire class, which in turn was associated with significant improvements in drinking outcomes. Using the novel methodological approach of latent class mediation, this study identified coping repertoire as a significant mediator of behavioral intervention efficacy for AUD. Future work examining heterogeneity in mediators and outcomes may help refine AUD treatment to be maximally effective.

Optimizing delivery of a behavioral pain intervention in cancer patients using a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial SMART

Background/aimsPain is common in cancer patients and results in lower quality of life, depression, poor physical functioning, financial difficulty, and decreased survival time. Behavioral pain interventions are effective and nonpharmacologic. Traditional randomized controlled trials (RCT) test interventions of fixed time and dose, which poorly represent successive treatment decisions in clinical practice. We utilize a novel approach to conduct a RCT, the sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design, to provide comparative evidence of: 1) response to differing initial doses of a pain coping skills training (PCST) intervention and 2) intervention dose sequences adjusted based on patient response. We also examine: 3) participant characteristics moderating intervention responses and 4) cost-effectiveness and practicality. Methods/designBreast cancer patients (N=327) having pain (ratings≥5) are recruited and randomly assigned to: 1) PCST-Full or 2) PCST-Brief. PCST-Full consists of 5 PCST sessions. PCST-Brief consists of one 60-min PCST session. Five weeks post-randomization, participants re-rate their pain and are re-randomized, based on intervention response, to receive additional PCST sessions, maintenance calls, or no further intervention. Participants complete measures of pain intensity, interference and catastrophizing. ConclusionsNovel RCT designs may provide information that can be used to optimize behavioral pain interventions to be adaptive, better meet patients' needs, reduce barriers, and match with clinical practice. This is one of the first trials to use a novel design to evaluate symptom management in cancer patients and in chronic illness; if successful, it could serve as a model for future work with a wide range of chronic illnesses.

Coping skills training intervention on the quality of life of psychiatric patient's caregivers: A randomized controlled study

IntroductionThe caregivers of the psychic patients experience decreased quality of life (QOL).AimsThe aim of this study is the determination of the effect of coping skills training on improved quality of life of these caregivers compared to traditional treatments.MethodsThe samples consisted of 82 caregivers of psychiatric patients who were admitted in the educational hospital of Tehran for the first time from 2015 to 2016. The caregivers were randomly divided into two groups including Interventional group (n = 41) who received an educational booklet in addition to coping skills training, and control group (n = 41) who received usual care. A two-group randomized controlled trial was conducted, including WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire used to collect the data before and after 90 days.ResultsThe results demonstrated that there were significant changes in the quality of life of family after training (P = 0.05). But this change was not seen in the control group. The comparison of the two groups after intervention indicated, that the scores of the intervention group were higher than the control group in all dimensions. But these scores were significantly different in the psychological health and the environmental health.ConclusionsTo educate the coping skills interventions can have a positive effect on the quality of life of caregivers than usual care.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.