Getting your life back after cancer: a feasibility
study of life coaching
Getting your life back after cancer: a feasibility
study of life coaching
Background
There is growing evidence demonstrating that life coaching can empower people to manage chronic illness and create sustainable behaviour change. However, little is known about how this might apply in the context of cancer survivorship, where people frequently experience reduced confidence following treatment. We hypothesise that life coaching could provide cancer survivors with a means to regain confidence, enhance quality of life and sustain positive lifestyle behaviour change.
Aims
To determine the acceptability, feasibility and practicality of conducting research into life coaching for cancer survivors.
Methods
A one group pre-test, post-test feasibility study was conducted, recruiting participants from community organisations. Eligibility criteria included: within one year of completion of primary cancer treatment; over 18; no metastases; no mental health problems. One face to face and five telephone sessions were given over three months. Outcome measures included quality of life, self-efficacy, coping and goal attainment. Interviews explored the feasibility and acceptability of life coaching and research issues.
Results
Nine women and two men were recruited, representing varying cancer diagnoses. All outcome measures were sensitive to change and indicated positive trends post intervention. Participant interviews indicated that the intervention was well received and had a positive impact. Lessons were learnt about study design, recruitment and acceptability of the intervention type and delivery.
Conclusions
This study showed that cancer survivors are prepared to be recruited into research about life-coaching, which shows promise with regard to helping people regain confidence following cancer. It merits further evaluation through conducting an exploratory randomised controlled trial.
16-16
Wagland, Richard
16a44dcc-29cd-4797-9af2-41ef87f64d08
Fenlon, D.
52f9a9f1-1643-449c-9856-258ef563342c
Tarrant, R.
e199eff8-1091-49b8-b323-78f348d90aa9
Van der Ven, I.
4785827c-7dcf-4d10-aa83-7fae6db3a3e3
Lee, J.
7f191791-c37a-416c-8034-1b8c0d516df5
Richardson, Alison
3db30680-aa47-43a5-b54d-62d10ece17b7
17 January 2013
Wagland, Richard
16a44dcc-29cd-4797-9af2-41ef87f64d08
Fenlon, D.
52f9a9f1-1643-449c-9856-258ef563342c
Tarrant, R.
e199eff8-1091-49b8-b323-78f348d90aa9
Van der Ven, I.
4785827c-7dcf-4d10-aa83-7fae6db3a3e3
Lee, J.
7f191791-c37a-416c-8034-1b8c0d516df5
Richardson, Alison
3db30680-aa47-43a5-b54d-62d10ece17b7
Wagland, Richard, Fenlon, D., Tarrant, R., Van der Ven, I., Lee, J. and Richardson, Alison
(2013)
Getting your life back after cancer: a feasibility
study of life coaching.
British Psycho-Oncology Society (BPOS) Conference 2013, Southampton, United Kingdom.
17 - 18 Jan 2013.
.
(doi:10.10002/pon.3239).
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Poster)
Abstract
Background
There is growing evidence demonstrating that life coaching can empower people to manage chronic illness and create sustainable behaviour change. However, little is known about how this might apply in the context of cancer survivorship, where people frequently experience reduced confidence following treatment. We hypothesise that life coaching could provide cancer survivors with a means to regain confidence, enhance quality of life and sustain positive lifestyle behaviour change.
Aims
To determine the acceptability, feasibility and practicality of conducting research into life coaching for cancer survivors.
Methods
A one group pre-test, post-test feasibility study was conducted, recruiting participants from community organisations. Eligibility criteria included: within one year of completion of primary cancer treatment; over 18; no metastases; no mental health problems. One face to face and five telephone sessions were given over three months. Outcome measures included quality of life, self-efficacy, coping and goal attainment. Interviews explored the feasibility and acceptability of life coaching and research issues.
Results
Nine women and two men were recruited, representing varying cancer diagnoses. All outcome measures were sensitive to change and indicated positive trends post intervention. Participant interviews indicated that the intervention was well received and had a positive impact. Lessons were learnt about study design, recruitment and acceptability of the intervention type and delivery.
Conclusions
This study showed that cancer survivors are prepared to be recruited into research about life-coaching, which shows promise with regard to helping people regain confidence following cancer. It merits further evaluation through conducting an exploratory randomised controlled trial.
Text
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Published date: 17 January 2013
Venue - Dates:
British Psycho-Oncology Society (BPOS) Conference 2013, Southampton, United Kingdom, 2013-01-17 - 2013-01-18
Organisations:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 350737
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/350737
PURE UUID: 3cbcd885-94bf-4a0d-8903-35cb11722384
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Date deposited: 09 Apr 2013 08:44
Last modified: 12 Nov 2024 02:45
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Contributors
Author:
D. Fenlon
Author:
R. Tarrant
Author:
I. Van der Ven
Author:
J. Lee
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