Addie Wootten*, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre Epworth, Richmond, Australia Jo Abbott, National eTherapy Centre, Hawthorn, Australia Katherine Chisholm, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia Marita Mccabe, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia David Austin, National eTherapy Centre; Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia Britt Klein, National eTherapy Centre; Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia Track: Research Presentation Topic: Collaborative biomedical research, academic / scholarly communication, publishing and peer review Presentation Type: Rapid-Fire Presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School Room: A-Pechet Room Date: 2012-09-15 04:45 PM – 05:30 PM Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background : In order to improve psychological outcomes for prostate cancer (CaP) patients easily accessible and timely support is required. This paper describes the development of a unique online psychological intervention that is accessible, user friendly and engaging to men with CaP and that reduces the stigma of psychological distress in the context of prostate cancer. This paper outlines the process of development, the challenges of internet based psychological interventions and preliminary data from our randomised controlled trial.
Methods: Men with localised prostate cancer are being recruited into a randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of the online psychological intervention. The intervention is a 6 module self-directed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based therapeutic intervention exploring topics including; emotional responses and psychological distress, coping with incontinence, masculinity, intimacy and sexual functioning, relationships, communication, stress management, living with uncertainty and mortality. Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups. Group 1: online intervention. Group 2: online intervention plus moderated bulletin board. Group 3: moderated bulletin board only. Fifty participants will be accrued to each arm of the study; total expected N=150. Participants will be assessed utilising the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), the Prostate Cancer-Related Quality of Life scale (PCa-QoL; Clark et al., 2003), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF; Rosen et al., 1997), the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale-short form (Catania, 1998), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire - Short Form (CPQ-SF; Christensen & Heavy, 1990) and the Kansas Martial Satisfaction Survey (Schumm, Nichols, Schectman & Grigsby,1985).
Results: This paper will outline the process of developing the online intervention including the materials developed, the challenges of producing a self-directed program for use over the internet and the creative challenges of developing an appealing and engaging platform for men to process their experiences of prostate cancer. Preliminary results will be presented and were not available at the time of abstract submission.
Conclusion: Engaging men in accessing and utilising psychotherapeutic support is a challenge for many reasons. Often men diagnosed with prostate cancer are not routinely offered psychological support and many men turn to the internet to access information and support from peers. Furthermore, there is still an element of stigma associated with accessing psycho-social support services for many men. This study provides an evaluation not only of the efficacy of the developed psychological intervention but also whether men might be willing to access support in this environment. We hope that this program normalises the emotional and psychological responses men with prostate cancer routinely experience and facilitates improved willingness to access support. This study has the potential to provide an evidenced-based self-directed psychological intervention over the internet that enhances the emotional and psychological well-being of men with prostate cancer in an easy to access, engaging and innovative medium. This study provides a first-step in breaking down the barriers to accessing support for men with prostate cancer. It is anticipated that this program will allow men to understand the psychological processes that may be influencing their mood state and may also encourage men to access more individualised psycho-therapeutic interventions in the future.