The effectiveness of a self-efficacy-enhancing intervention for Chinese patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow up.
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. There is growing support for colorectal cancer survivors who are experiencing problems after cancer treatment to engage in self-management programs to reduce symptom distress. However, there is inconclusive evidence as to the effectiveness of such program especially in Asian region.


OBJECTIVES
This study tested the effects of a six-month nurse-led self-efficacy-enhancing intervention for patients with colorectal cancer, compared with routine care over a six-month follow up.


DESIGN
A randomized controlled trial with repeated measures, two-group design.


SETTING
Three teaching hospitals in Guangzhou, China.


PARTICIPANTS
One hundred and fifty-two Chinese adult patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer were recruited. The intervention group (n=76) received self-efficacy-enhancing intervention and the control group (n=76) received standard care.


METHOD
The participants were randomized into either intervention or control group after baseline measures. The outcomes of the study (self-efficacy, symptom distress, anxiety, depression and quality of life) were compared at baseline, three and six months after the intervention.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight participants in the intervention group and 53 in the control group completed the study. Their mean age was 53 (SD=11.3). Repeated measure MANOVA found that the patients in the intervention group had significant improvement in their self-efficacy (F=7.26, p=0.003) and a reduction of symptom severity (F=5.30, p=0.01), symptom interference (F=4.06, p=0.025), anxiety (F=6.04, p=0.006) and depression (F=6.96, p=0.003) at three and six months, compared with the control group. However, no statistically significant main effect was observed in quality of life perception between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The nurse-led self-efficacy enhancing intervention was effective in promoting self-efficacy and psychological well-being in patients with colorectal cancer, compared with standard care. The intervention can be incorporated into routine care. Future empirical work is required to determine the longer term effects of the intervention.