Therapist-guided online care reduced fear of colorectal cancer recurrence
An online program improved fear-of-recurrence scores more than an interview plus self-help resources in survivors selected for clinically significant fear.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Survivors offered the therapist-guided online program had a larger reduction in fear-of-recurrence scores than those given the control resources. The result applies to cancer-free colorectal cancer survivors with clinically significant fear. It measures relief from a psychological concern, and does not show a change in the chance of cancer returning.
This was a single-site trial in survivors with clinically significant fear. Pre-intervention exclusions and withdrawals mean fewer participants contributed to analyses than were initially randomized.
What researchers found
Between-group difference in total Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory score change
At 3 months after the intervention, favoring guided care over the augmented control; P < .001.
Support formats
The program delivered modules online, with written therapist guidance available as needed. The control also offered support through an interview and mindfulness resources, making this a comparison between different support formats.
Distinct outcomes
The main outcome used the full fear questionnaire. The abstract also reports how often participants fell below a clinical fear cutoff, but that is a different outcome from average score change.
The original publication
E-Health Intervention for Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Lyhne JD, Smith AB, Timm S et al.
JAMA Netw Open · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41217757
- Record checked
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