Web-Based Communication Strategies Designed to Improve Intention to Minimize Risk for Colorectal Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND People seek information on the Web for managing their colorectal cancer (CRC) risk but retrieve much personally irrelevant material. Targeting information pertinent to this cohort via a frequently asked question (FAQ) format could improve outcomes. OBJECTIVE We identified and prioritized colorectal cancer information for men and women aged 35 to 74 years (study 1) and built a website containing FAQs ordered by age and gender. In study 2, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test whether targeted FAQs were more influential on intention to act on CRC risk than the same information accessed via a generic topic list. Secondary analyses compared preference for information delivery, usability, relevance, and likelihood of recommendation of FAQ and LIST websites. METHODS Study 1 determined the colorectal cancer information needs of Australians (N=600) by sex and age group (35-49, 50-59, 60-74) through a Web-based survey. Free-text responses were categorized as FAQs: the top 5 issues within each of the 6 cohorts were identified. Study 2 (N=240) compared the impact of presentation as targeted FAQ links to information with links presented as a generic list (LIST) and a CONTROL (no information) condition. We also tested preference for presentation of access to information as FAQ or LIST by adding a CHOICE condition (a self-selected choice of FAQs or a list of information topics). RESULTS Study 1 showed considerable consistency in information priorities among all 6 cohorts with 2 main concerns: treatment of CRC and risk factors. Some differences included a focus on general risk factors, excluding diet and lifestyle, in the younger cohort, and on the existence of a test for CRC in the older cohorts. Study 2 demonstrated that, although respondents preferred information access ordered by FAQs over a list, presentation in this format had limited impact on readiness to act on colorectal cancer risk compared with the list or a no-information control (P=.06). Both FAQ and LIST were evaluated as equally usable. Those aged 35 to 49 years rated the information less relevant to them and others in their age group, and information ordered by FAQs was rated, across all age groups and both sexes, as less relevant to people outside the age group targeted within the FAQs. CONCLUSIONS FAQs are preferred over a list as a strategy for presenting access to information about CRC. They may improve intention to act on risk, although further research is required. Future research should aim to identify better the characteristics of information content and presentation that optimize perceived relevance and fully engage the target audience. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000137291; https://www.anzctr.org. au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374129 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6x2Mr6rPC)

Download Full-text

Efficacy of a Parent-Based, Indicated Prevention for Anorexia Nervosa: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9464 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Corinna Jacobi ◽

Kristian Hütter ◽

Ulrike Völker ◽

Katharina Möbius ◽

Robert Richter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Preventive Program ◽

Web Based ◽

Indicated Prevention ◽

Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Web-based preventive interventions can reduce risk and incidence of bulimia and binge eating disorders among young high-risk women. However, their specific effects on core symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) are rather weak. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an indicated, parent-based, Web-based preventive program Eltern als Therapeuten (E@T) in reducing risk factors and symptoms of AN. METHODS Girls aged between 11 and 17 years were screened by selected risk factors and early symptoms of AN. At-risk families were then randomized to E@T or an assessment-only control condition. Assessments took place at pre- and postintervention (6 weeks later) and at 6- and 12-month follow-up (FU). RESULTS A total of 12,377 screening questionnaires were handed out in 86 German schools, and 3941 including consent returned. Overall, 477 (447/3941, 12.10%) girls were identified as at risk for AN and 256 of those could be contacted. In all, 66 families (66/256, 25.8% of those contacted) were randomized to the E@T or a wait-list control condition, 43 (43/66, 65%) participated in postassessments, and 27 (27/66, 41%) in 12-month FUs. Due to low participation and high dropout rates of parents, recruitment was terminated prematurely. At 12-month FU, girls’ expected body weight (EBW) percentage was significantly greater for intervention participants compared with control participants (group by time interaction beta=21.0 [CI 5.81 to 36.13], P=.007; group by time squared interaction beta=−15.5 [CI −26.6 to −4.49], P=.007; estimated Cohen d=0.42]. No other significant effects were found on risk factors and attitudes of disturbed eating. CONCLUSIONS Despite a significant increase in girls’ EBW percentage, parental participation and adherence to the intervention were low. Overall, parent-based, indicated prevention for children at risk for AN does not seem very promising, although it might be useful for parents who engage in the intervention. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 18614564; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18614564 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/74FTV1EpF).

Download Full-text

Effect of a Web-Based Behavior Change Program on Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults at High Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.3828 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. e177 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Sinead Watson ◽

Jayne V Woodside ◽

Lisa J Ware ◽

Steven J Hunter ◽

Alanna McGrath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Behavior Change Program

Download Full-text

Effects of Web-Based Interventions on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30539 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ching-Ching Su ◽

Su-Er Guo ◽

Ya-Wen Kuo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Colorectal Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of colorectal cancer survivors have at least one comorbidity. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate the adverse effects of disease treatment, reduce patients’ mortality rate, and improve their quality of life (QoL). However, colorectal cancer survivors generally engage in insufficient PA. The present study proposed that web-based interventions can assist patients with colorectal cancer in improving their PA behavior to induce health-promoting effects, thus positively influencing their QoL. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic literature review, to employ web-based interventions to improve the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors, and to assess the quality of research articles. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines to compile literature on the influence of web-based interventions on the PA activity and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CEPS) were searched up until July 2020. Additionally, the researchers manually searched for journal articles referenced in the collected literature. Literature quality assessment and data extraction were performed by 3 researchers individually using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. RESULTS Among the 438 searched studies, 6 published between 2009 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 4 had adopted randomized controlled trial designs and 2 had employed one-group pretest–posttest designs. The collected literature exhibited risk of bias to varying degrees. The overall outcomes revealed that after 6 months of web-based interventions, participants’ performance in PA indicators improved significantly (P = .03). Additionally, a comparison conducted using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life scale revealed no significant differences between the experiment group, which received 3 months of intervention, and the control group (P = .24). However, a comparison conducted using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire indicated a significant difference in QoL indicators between groups (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Web-based interventions are conducive to improving the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Because intervention outcomes may differ based on the intervention time and the assessment tools used, more randomized controlled trial–based clinical research is required to provide suggestions for clinical practice.

Download Full-text