Factors associated with distress over time in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy: insights from a pilot study assessing a digital information tool
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2025

Purpose A cancer diagnosis and treatment pose significant physical and psychological challenges. The study aimed to explore factors associated with distress over time in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy (RT) with access to a digital information tool, specifically examining if factors such as health literacy and self-efficacy had any influence on distress.
Methods In this pilot randomised controlled trial, women were assigned to an intervention group (n = 59) with access to a digital information tool or a control group (n = 52). Assessments were conducted at baseline, one week before RT (FU1), one week post- (FU2), and six months after treatment (FU3). Distress was measured at all time points, and associated factors were evaluated at baseline and six months.
Results In the intervention group, a statistically significant reduction in distress was observed over time (FU1, p = .009; FU2, p < .001; FU3, p < .001). The control group showed a significant reduction at FU3 (p = .009). Quade's ANCOVA revealed no significant differences between the groups in distress prevalence (F = 3.460, p = .066). No significant changes in health literacy or self-efficacy were observed over time.
Conclusion The results indicate no statistically significant effect on distress; however, there is a potential indication of a reduction in distress, suggesting that the digital information tool may offer some benefits. Further research is required to confirm this relationship.

Breast cancer

Distress

Self-efficacy

Radiotherapy

Digital health

Health literacy

Digital health literacy

Virtual reality

Författare

Annika Grynne

Jönköping University

Sofi Fristedt

Lunds universitet

Jönköping University

Desiree Bourghardt Wiklund

Sahlgrenska universitetssjukhuset

Frida Smith

Chalmers, Teknikens ekonomi och organisation, Service Management and Logistics

Maria Browall

Göteborgs universitet

Supportive Care in Cancer

0941-4355 (ISSN) 1433-7339 (eISSN)

Vol. 33 9 781

Ämneskategorier (SSIF 2025)

Omvårdnad

Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa och socialmedicin

Cancer och onkologi

DOI

10.1007/s00520-025-09798-8

PubMed

40794292

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2025-08-22