The Effects of Dyadic Intervention for Young and Middle-aged Couples Facing Colorectal Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Trial
The Effects of Dyadic Intervention for Young and Middle-aged Couples Facing Colorectal Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Trial
The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of a dyadic intervention on mutuality, psychological strengths (i.e., illness cognition and dyadic coping), illness-related communication, psychological distress, and QoL outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer and spouses. The colorectal cancer couples were randomly allocated to the intervention group to receive a 6-week dyadic intervention, or to the control group to receive the usual care provided by the clinical team in the hospital.
Inclusion Criteria:
patients and spouses aged 20 years or older patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer within the past year Patients scored ≥ 22 points on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale assessment patients and spouses able to read simplified Chinese
Exclusion Criteria:
psychiatric problems requiring active treatment other terminal illnesses, such as advanced cancer currently undergoing psychotherapy or participating in similar trials