Effect of Internet peer-support groups on psychosocial adjustment to cancer: A randomised study

Background:We conducted a randomised study to investigate whether providing a self-guided Internet support group to cancer patients affected mood disturbance and adjustment to cancer.Methods:Baseline and 1-, 6-and 12-month assessments were conducted from 2004 to 2006 at a national rehabilitation centre in Denmark. A total of 58 rehabilitation course weeks including 921 survivors of various cancers were randomly assigned to a control or an intervention group by cluster randomisation. The intervention was a lecture on the use of the Internet for support and information followed by participation in an Internet support group. Outcome measures included self-reported mood disturbance, adjustment to cancer and self-rated health. Differences in scores were compared between the control group and the intervention group.Results:The effect of the intervention on mood disturbance and adjustment to cancer showed a transient difference at the 6-month follow-up, where the intervention group reported less reduction in anxious preoccupation (P0.04), helplessness (P0.002), confusion (P0.001) and depression (P0.04). Otherwise no significant effects were observed.Conclusion:We conclude that use of Internet-based support groups in cancer patients still needs to confirm long-lasting psychological effects.