The Effect of Metacognition-based, Manualized Intervention on Fear of Cancer Recurrence

The Effect of Metacognition-based, Manualized Intervention on Fear of Cancer Recurrence: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The primary aim of this study is to assess the effect of ConquerFear, a metacognition-based manualized intervention on fear of cancer recurrence, using the randomized controlled trial approach, among Chinese patients newly diagnosed with curable cancer. This study aims to (1) test the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence and on maladaptive metacognition, and (2) to test the indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition.

A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to test the effect of a metacognition-based manualized intervention on fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese breast, gynecologic and colorectal cancer patients with high levels of fear of cancer recurrence.

The aims are to test:

1. the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence,
2. the direct effect of ConquerFear intervention on maladaptive metacognition
3. the indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition.

Primary hypothesis:

1. Participants in the ConquerFear intervention will show a greater reduction in fear of cancer recurrence compared to participants in the control group
2. Participants in the ConquerFear intervention will show a greater reduction in maladaptive metacognition than the control participants
3. There will be an indirect effect of ConquerFear intervention on fear of cancer recurrence through its effect on maladaptive metacognition.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking Chinese patients recently diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, or colorectal cancer
2. had surgery as a primary treatment
3. have had completed hospital-based adjuvant treatments including radiotherapy and chemotherapy within the past 18 months
4. with the cut-off scored ≥ 13 on Severity, the subscale of Fear of cancer inventory
5. are able to read and write Chinese
6. are over the age of 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. non-Chinese ethnicity
2. Patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer
3. with a current diagnosis of depression or psychosis
4. currently receiving psychological treatment
5. with language difficulties or intellectual disability.