Evaluation of a Self-compassion App in People With Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability and Changes in Well-being

Evaluation of a Self-compassion App in People With Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability and Changes in Well-being

To support patients with cancer with managing psychological distress due to their illness and treatment, a self-help digital Compassionate Mind Training (i.e., Compas-Y App) was developed in co-creation with people with cancer and nurses in oncology.

This study will examine : What is the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Compas-Y app in distressed cancer patients? The reseachers use a multiple baseline design, with a 2-3 week baseline phase and a 6-week intervention phase.

Adult patients (>= 18 years) will be approached for the study, who finished their medical treatment and who experience a reduced well-being.

To examine the effects of Compas-Y, the researchers will examine changes in self-compassion and self-criticism (primary outcomes) and mindfulness, emotion regulation strategies, and positive and negative affect (secondary outcomes). We will use EMA items to assess momentary levels of these primary and secondary outcomes.

These assessments will be 3 times per week at 7:00 PM, both during the 2-3 week baseline phase ( 6-9 assessments in total) and the 6-week intervention phase (18 times assessments in total).

The expectation is increases in self-compassion, reductions in self-criticism, and improved affect as well as improved mindfulness and emotion regulation. In addition, the expectation is more improvement in outcomes in those patients with greater usage of the app.

Inclusion criteria:

1. aged 18 and older;

2. Diagnosed with cancer (stage I-III);

3. Completed medical treatment in the past 2 years;

4. Reporting a reduced well-being (Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) = <76 score (Kelly et al., 2008) [lower scores indicate worse well-being]);

5. Proficient in Dutch;

6. willing to try out the app for about 2 hours per week during 6 weeks and fill in the questionnaires for 8-10 weeks;

7. Participants should have a smartphone, computer or tablet with internet access for digital intervention and data-collection.

   • Exclusion criteria:

1. Participants have a current psychological or psychiatric treatment outside this study. 2. Insufficient Dutch language skills to follow the group sessions or complete homework exercises