CHESS (Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) is an innovative internet-based program demonstrated to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. This randomized controlled trial will examine whether cancer patient outcomes change as different types of conceptually distinct CHESS services (information, social support, and skills training) are systematically added to a patient's treatment resources. Analyses will identify specific CHESS effects responsible for improvement on the primary outcome of patient quality of life. Newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients will be randomly assigned to four intervention conditions: a control group receiving usual care plus internet access; CHESS providing information only (Inf); CHESS providing social support and information (InfS); and CHESS providing information, social support and skills training (InfSS). This research will help reveal the types of treatments that are most helpful to cancer patients and how they work.
Participants in this multi-site study will be recruited from The University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center; Hartford Hospital; and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This study is one of three projects on a Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research grant, awarded to researchers at the University of Wisconsin (David Gustafson, Ph.D., Principal Investigator). The aims include:- To examine differences among the intervention components on the primary outcome measure of quality of life. To understand processes, we will also look for differences in intervention-specific, targeted outcomes such as variables reflecting affect and depressive symptoms, health services use and satisfaction, information competence, relationship quality, perceived support, and coping.
- To examine differences among the intervention components on the secondary outcomes of knowledge, social support, relationship skills, and coping skills.
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