Study published: Engagement and adherence in internet-administered self-help for parents of children treated for cancer
The study shows that participants who started with behavioural activation demonstrated higher adherence to the EJDeR intervention, compared to those who started with worry management. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
A recent study published in JMIR Formative Research examines engagement and adherence among parents who have participated in EJDeR, an internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy self-help intervention. EJDeR is designed to support parents of children who have completed cancer treatment and are experiencing depression or anxiety.
In the EJDeR intervention, study participants experiencing symptoms of depression, together with their e-therapist, chose to begin with the behavioural activation module, which focused on re-engaging in meaningful activities. Participants experiencing symptoms of anxiety, together with their e-therapist, chose to start with the worry management module, which included categorizing worries, problem-solving for practical concerns, and scheduling ‘worry time’ for hypothetical concerns.
Key findings indicate that participants who began with the behavioural activation module were more likely to complete their assigned modules than those who started with worry management. Nonadherers who started with behavioural activation experienced significantly higher levels of depression symptoms at baseline compared to those who adhered to the intervention.
Participants who spent more time working with EJDeR, logged in more frequently, and interacted more with e-therapists were more likely to adhere to the intervention. No differences in engagement were observed between fathers and mothers, nor were there significant sociodemographic differences between adherers and nonadherers.
The study shows that complex techniques like worry management may need to be adapted to enhance usability and engagement. It also highlights the importance of tailored support for users experiencing more severe symptoms and involving users in intervention design to better meet their needs.
Miro Anter
Link to the article
Read the full article, ‘Understanding User Engagement and Adherence in Internet-Administered LICBT for Parents of Children Treated for Cancer: Secondary Analysis of the ENGAGE Feasibility Trial’. It is authored by Christina Reuther, Louise von Essen, Mudassir Imran Mustafa, Markus Saarijärvi, and Joanne Woodford.