Testing the efficacy of a brief online writing intervention on body image and distress in female cancer survivors.

This study tested the feasibility and efficacy of two iterations of a low-intensity online writing intervention, Expand Your Horizon (EYH), in improving body image and distress in a cancer population. In study 1 (3-session version of EYH), adult female cancer survivors (N = 201) were randomised to EYH, where they described their body functionality, or a creative writing control. Outcomes assessed at baseline and one-week follow-up included body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, and distress. In study 2 (1 session version of EYH), adult female cancer survivors (N = 65) were randomised to EYH or a neutral writing control. Outcomes (assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and one-week follow-up) included body appreciation, body functionality appreciation, body dissatisfaction and distress. Study 1 experienced severe attrition; only 14 participants (7 %) completed the intervention and follow-up. Study 2 had higher retention, with 74 % completing the study. In study 2, while no significant differences emerged between EYH or control, both groups significantly improved immediately post-intervention across all outcomes. No differences were found at follow-up. A single-session online writing intervention for cancer survivors appears to be more feasible than multi-session, however the efficacy of EYH for this population remains to be established.

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Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.