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Studying the Effects of a “Can-Do” Attitude on Cancer Outcomes

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Do you have high confidence in your own ability to accomplish your goals? Do you generally feel like you are up to the challenges that you face? If you answered yes to these questions, psychologists would say that you have high self-efficacy. Specifically, the term self-efficacy is the belief we have in our own ability to meet the challenges ahead of us and complete tasks successfully.1,2

It is not surprising that for patients with cancer, the journey from diagnosis, through treatment and survivorship, can pose a challenge to their psychological well-being and quality of life.3 Although studies have shown that encouraging patients to maintain a positive attitude does not change the course of a person’s cancer—in fact, it may only add to their burden if they feel guilty for not being able to “stay positive”—patients with higher self-efficacy have been shown to have better adjustment and quality of life as well as fewer and/or less intense symptoms and side effects.3,4

Given these benefits, researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, have initiated a clinical trial to assess whether a digital coaching program can have an effect on the self-efficacy of patients with newly diagnosed blood cancers.5

Started in March 2020, the study seeks to enroll approximately 500 adult participants who have been diagnosed with either acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) within the past 3 months.5 Participants will then be assigned to 1 of 2 groups to determine if there is any difference in self-efficacy between those who receive a 3-month digital health coaching program (group 1) and those who have a standard telephone number they can call when they are experiencing concerns about their disease or treatment (group 2).5

One key difference between the 2 groups is that patients assigned to receive digital coaching will have ongoing communication that is initiated by their coach, either through text, e-mail, or phone call.5 Those in the second group will have to initiate all communications with their support team on their own.5

Aside from simply measuring self-efficacy between the 2 groups, this study also seeks to determine whether self-efficacy in patients with AML and CLL is associated with quality of life, perception of symptoms, and interestingly, whether it affects a patient’s perception of financial stress.5

Expected to complete in summer 2021, this study will provide insights as to whether digital health coaching can help leukemia patients improve their overall health through improved self-efficacy.5 As of this writing, the study is still recruiting participants. Patients who may be interested in participating should consult with their healthcare provider and can read more at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04774744.


References

  1. Ackerman CE. What is self-efficacy theory in psychology? Published December 21, 2020. https://positivepsychology.com/self-efficacy. Accessed April 18, 2021.
  2. Klassen RM, Klassen JRL. Self-efficacy beliefs of medical students: a critical review. Perspect Med Educ. 2018;7:76-82.
  3. Merluzzi TV, Nairn RC, Hegde K, et al. Self-efficacy for coping with cancer: revision of the Cancer Behavior Inventory (version 2.0). Psychooncology. 2001;10:206-217.
  4. American Cancer Society. Impact of attitudes and feelings on cancer. www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/coping/attitudes-and-feelings-about-cancer.html. Accessed April 18, 2021.
  5. ClinicalTrials.gov. Effect of digital health coaching program on self-efficacy and patient reported outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04774744. Accessed April 18, 2021.

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