Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Study protocol

Couplelinks - an online intervention for young women with breast cancer and their male partners: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Karen Fergus, Saunia Ahmad, Deborah L McLeod, Joanne Stephen, Sandra Gardner, Amanda Pereira, Ellen Warner, Wendy Carter

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Young breast cancer survivors (aged 50 years and under) and their partners are at an elevated risk for relationship distress and poor psychological adjustment relative to older age couples. Limited availability of time and resources and the distance to travel are major barriers to engaging in evidence-based psychosocial support programs. This paper describes the study protocol of a novel, manualized online intervention called Couplelinks that was developed to improve relationship adjustment and psychological wellbeing of young couples affected by breast cancer. Couplelinks is a custom-designed website offering a professionally facilitated, couple-centered intervention that entails informational, experiential, and interactive components.

Methods/Design

A total of 80 heterosexual couples from across Canada in which the female partner has been diagnosed with a primary breast cancer will be recruited and randomized to a treatment or waitlist control group. Six dyadic learning modules form the core of the program and will be undertaken on a weekly basis. The manualized online intervention involves psycho-education and experiential exercises to enhance communication, coping ability, mutual empathy, and perspective-taking in relation to cancer. An online facilitator who is a trained mental health professional will guide and support couples throughout the process. Data collection will occur at baseline, at post-treatment or eight weeks into the waiting period, and at the three-month follow-up assessment. Primary outcome measures include the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Survey (RDAS) and Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) scores, and secondary outcome measures include the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey (HADS) score.

Discussion

Couplelinks is one of the first internet-based psychological interventions to improve the psychosocial adjustment of couples coping with a life-threatening illness such as cancer. If successful, the design of this program as described in this paper makes a valuable contribution to the literature on the delivery of couple-focused psychosocial interventions, both within and outside of oncology.

Trial registration

This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01089764) on 17 March 2010.
Literature
1.
Canadian Cancer Society’s Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014. Toronto, ON: Canadian Cancer Society; 2014.
2.
Avis NE, Crawford S, Manuel J. Psychosocial problems among younger women with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2004;13:295–308.PubMed
3.
Avis NE, Crawford S, Manuel J. Quality of life among younger women with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:3322–30.PubMed
4.
Ganz PA, Rowland JH, Desmond K, Meyerowitz BE, Wyatt GE. Life after breast cancer: understanding women’s health-related quality of life and sexual functioning. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:501–14.PubMed
5.
Janz NK, Mujahid M, Lantz PM, Fagerlin A, Salem B, Morrow M, et al. Population-based study of the relationship of treatment and sociodemographics on quality of life for early stage breast cancer. Qual Life Res. 2005;14:1467–79.PubMed
6.
Vinokur AD, Threatt BA, Vinokur-Kaplan D, Satariano WA. The process of recovery from breast cancer for younger and older patients. Changes during the first year. Cancer. 1990;65:1242–54.PubMed
7.
Wenzel LB, Fairclough DL, Brady MJ, Cella D, Garrett KM, Kluhsman BC, et al. Age-related differences in the quality of life of breast carcinoma patients after treatment. Cancer. 1999;86:1768–74.PubMed
8.
Bloom JR, Stewart SL, Oakley-Girvan I, Banks PJ, Shema S. Quality of life of younger breast cancer survivors: persistence of problems and sense of well-being. Psychooncology. 2012;21:655–65.PubMed
9.
Kroenke CH, Rosner B, Chen WY, Kawachi I, Colditz GA, Holmes MD. Functional impact of breast cancer by age at diagnosis. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22:1849–56.PubMed
10.
Crist JV, Grunfeld EA. Factors reported to influence fear of recurrence in cancer patients: a systematic review. Psychooncology. 2013;22:978–86.PubMed
11.
Howard-Anderson J, Ganz PA, Bower JE, Stanton AL. Quality of life, fertility concerns, and behavioral health outcomes in younger breast cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012;104:386–405.PubMed
12.
Lebel S, Beattie S, Arès I, Bielajew C. Young and worried: age and fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors. Health Psychol. 2013;32:695–705.PubMed
13.
Connell S, Patterson C, Newman B. A qualitative analysis of reproductive issues raised by young Australian women with breast cancer. Health Care Women Int. 2006;27:94–110.PubMed
14.
Thewes B, Meiser B, Taylor A, Phillips KA, Pendlebury S, Capp A, et al. Fertility- and menopause-related information needs of younger women with a diagnosis of early breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:5155–65.PubMed
15.
Dunn J, Steginga SK. Young women’s experience of breast cancer: defining young and identifying concerns. Psychooncology. 2000;9:137–46.PubMed
16.
Ohlen J, Holm AK. Transforming desolation into consolation: being a mother with life-threatening breast cancer. Health Care Women Int. 2006;27:18–44.PubMed
17.
Walsh SR, Manuel JC, Avis NE. The impact of breast cancer on younger women’s relationships with their partner and children. Fam Syst Health. 2005;23:80–93.
18.
Ganz PA, Desmond KA, Leedham B, Rowland JH, Meyerowitz BE, Belin TR. Quality of life in long-term, disease-free survivors of breast cancer: a follow-up study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002;94:39–49.PubMed
19.
Gould J, Grassau P, Manthorne J, Gray RE, Fitch MI. ‘Nothing fit me’: nationwide consultations with young women with breast cancer. Health Expect. 2006;9:158–73.PubMedPubMedCentral
20.
Warner E. Impact of MRI surveillance and breast cancer detection in young women with BRCA mutations. Ann Oncol. 2011;22 Suppl 1:144–9.
21.
Siegel K, Gluhoski V, Gorey E. Age-related distress among young women with breast cancer. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1999;17:1–20.
22.
Neugarten BL. Adaptation and the life cycle. Couns Psychol. 1976;6:16–20.
23.
Bloom JR, Stewart SL, Johnston M, Banks P. Intrusiveness of illness and quality of life in young women with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 1998;7:89–100.PubMed
24.
Bloom JR, Stewart SL, Johnston M, Banks P, Fobair P. Sources of support and the physical and mental well-being of young women with breast cancer. Soc Sci Med. 2001;53:1513–24.PubMed
25.
Lichtman RR, Taylor SE, Wood JV. Social support and marital adjustment after breast cancer. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1987;5:47–74.
26.
Hilton BA, Crawford JA, Tarko MA. Men’s perspectives on individual and family coping with their wives’ breast cancer and chemotherapy. West J Nurs Res. 2000;22:438–59.PubMed
27.
Kuijer RG, Buunk BP, De Jong GM, Ybema JF, Sanderman R. Effects of a brief intervention program for patients with cancer and their partners on feelings of inequity, relationship quality and psychological distress. Psychooncology. 2004;13:321–34.PubMed
28.
Kayser K, Sormanti M. A follow-up study of women with cancer: their psychosocial well-being and close relationships. Soc Work Health Care. 2002;35:391–406.PubMed
29.
Lauzier S, Maunsell E, De Koninck M, Drolet M, Hebert-Croteau N, Robert J. Conceptualization and sources of costs from breast cancer: findings from patient and caregiver focus groups. Psychooncology. 2005;14:351–60.PubMed
30.
Holmberg SK, Scott LL, Alexy W, Fife BL. Relationship issues of women with breast cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2001;24:53–60.PubMed
31.
Zahlis EH, Shands ME. Breast cancer: demands of the illness on the patient’s partner. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1991;9:75–93.
32.
Gotay CC. The experience of cancer during early and advanced stages: the views of patients and their mates. Soc Sci Med. 1984;18:605–13.PubMed
33.
Fobair P, Stewart SL, Chang S, D’Onofrio C, Banks PJ, Bloom JR. Body image and sexual problems in young women with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2006;15:579–94.PubMed
34.
35.
Berg CA, Upchurch R. A developmental-contextual model of couples coping with chronic illness across the adult life span. Psychol Bull. 2007;133:920–54.PubMed
36.
Giese-Davis J, Hermanson K, Koopman C, Weibel D, Spiegel D. Quality of couples’ relationship and adjustment to metastatic breast cancer. J Fam Psychol. 2000;14:251–66.PubMed
37.
Hannum JW, Giese-Davis J, Harding K, Hatfield AK. Effects of individual and marital variables on coping with cancer. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1991;9:1–20.
38.
Northouse L. A longitudinal study of the adjustment of patients and husbands to breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1989;16:511–6.PubMed
39.
Omne-Ponten M, Holmberg L, Sjoden P, Bergstrom R. The married couple’s assessment of the experience of early breast cancer- a longitudinal interview study. Psychooncology. 1995;4:183–90.
40.
Pistrang N, Barker C. Partners and fellow patients: two sources of emotional support for women with breast cancer. Am J Community Psychol. 1998;26:439–56.PubMed
41.
Manne S, Ostroff J, Rini C, Fox K, Goldstein L, Grana G. The interpersonal process model of intimacy: the role of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and partner responsiveness in interactions between breast cancer patients and their partners. J Fam Psychol. 2004;18:589–99.PubMed
42.
Pistrang N, Barker C, Rutter C. Social support as conversation: analysing breast cancer patients’ interactions with their partners. Soc Sci Med. 1997;45:773–82.PubMed
43.
Manne SL, Ostroff JS, Norton TR, Fox K, Goldstein L, Grana G. Cancer-related relationship communication in couples coping with early stage breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2006;15:234–47.PubMed
44.
Manne SL, Zautra AJ. Spouse criticism and support: their association with coping and psychological adjustment among women with rheumatoid arthritis. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1989;56:608–17.PubMed
45.
Bolger N, Foster M, Vinokur AD, Ng R. Close relationships and adjustment to a life crisis: the case of breast cancer. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1996;70:283–94.PubMed
46.
Sormanti M, Kayser K. Partner support and changes in relationships during life-threatening illness: women’s perspectives. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2000;18:45–66.
47.
Fergus KD, Gray RE. Relationship vulnerabilities during breast cancer: patient and partner perspectives. Psychooncology. 2009;18:1311–22.PubMed
48.
Samms MC. The husband’s untold account of his wife’s breast cancer: a chronologic analysis. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1999;26:1351–8.PubMed
49.
Forrest G, Plumb C, Ziebland S, Stein A. Breast cancer in young families: a qualitative interview study of fathers and their role and communication with their children following the diagnosis of maternal breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2009;18:96–103.PubMed
50.
Wellisch DK, Wolcott DL, Pasnau RO, Fawzy FI, Landsverk JA. An evaluation of the psychosocial problems of the homebound cancer patient: relationship of patient adjustment to family problems. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1989;7:55–76.
51.
Hodgkinson K, Butow P, Hunt GE, Wyse R, Hobbs KM, Wain G. Life after cancer: couples’ and partners’ psychological adjustment and supportive care needs. Support Care Cancer. 2007;15:405–15.PubMed
52.
Shands ME, Lewis FM, Sinsheimer J, Cochrane BB. Core concerns of couples living with early stage breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2006;15:1055–64.PubMed
53.
Baucom DH, Porter LS, Kirby JS, Gremore TM, Wiesenthal N, Aldridge W, et al. A couple-based intervention for female breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2009;18:276–83.PubMed
54.
Christensen DN. Postmastectomy couple counseling: an outcome study of a structured treatment protocol. J Sex Marital Ther. 1983;9:266–75.PubMed
55.
Kayser K. Enhancing Dyadic Coping During a Time of Crisis: a Theory-Based Intervention with Breast Cancer Patients and Their Partners. In: Couples Coping with Stress: Emerging Perspectives on Dyadic Coping. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2005. p. 175–94.
56.
Northouse L, Kershaw T, Mood D, Schafenacker A. Effects of a family intervention on the quality of life of women with recurrent breast cancer and their family caregivers. Psychooncology. 2005;14:478–91.PubMed
57.
Regan TW, Lambert SD, Girgis A, Kelly B, Kayser K, Turner J. Do couple-based interventions make a difference for couples affected by cancer? A systematic review. BMC Cancer. 2012;12:279.PubMedPubMedCentral
58.
Fredman SJ, Baucom DH, Gremore TM, Castellani AM, Kallman TA, Porter LS, et al. Quantifying the recruitment challenges with couple-based interventions for cancer: applications to early-stage breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2009;18:667–73.PubMedPubMedCentral
59.
Gustafson DH, Hawkins R, Pingree S, McTavish F, Arora NK, Mendenhall J, et al. Effect of computer support on younger women with breast cancer. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16:435–45.PubMedPubMedCentral
60.
Klemm P, Bunnell D, Cullen M, Soneji R, Gibbons P, Holecek A. Online cancer support groups: a review of the research literature. Comput Inform Nurs. 2003;21:136–42.PubMed
61.
McTavish FM, Gustafson DH, Owens BH, Wise M, Taylor JO, Apantaku FM, et al. CHESS: An interactive computer system for women with breast cancer piloted with an under-served population. Proc Annu Symp Comput Appl Med Care. 1994;599–603.
62.
Sharf BF. Communicating breast cancer on-line: support and empowerment on the Internet. Women Health. 1997;26:65–84.PubMed
63.
Weinberg N, Schmale J, Uken J, Wessel K. Online help: cancer patients participate in a computer-mediated support group. Health Soc Work. 1996;21:24–9.PubMed
64.
Fernsler JI, Manchester LJ. Evaluation of a computer-based cancer support network. Cancer Pract. 1997;5:46–51.PubMed
65.
Houston TK, Cooper LA, Ford DE. Internet support groups for depression: a 1-year prospective cohort study. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159:2062–8.PubMed
66.
Klemm P, Hurst M, Dearholt SL, Trone SR. Gender differences on Internet cancer support groups. Comput Nurs. 1999;17:65–72.PubMed
67.
Lieberman MA, Winzelberg A, Golant M, Wakahiro M, DiMinno M, Aminoff M, et al. Online support groups for Parkinson’s patients: a pilot study of effectiveness. Soc Work Health Care. 2005;42:23–38.PubMed
68.
Seale C. Gender accommodation in online cancer support groups. Health. 2006;10:345–60.PubMed
69.
Sullivan CF. Gendered cybersupport: a thematic analysis of two online cancer support groups. J Health Psychol. 2003;8:83–104.PubMed
70.
Winzelberg AJ, Classen C, Alpers GW, Roberts H, Koopman C, Adams RE, et al. Evaluation of an internet support group for women with primary breast cancer. Cancer. 2003;97:1164–73.PubMed
71.
Stephen J, Rojubally A, Macgregor K, McLeod D, Speca M, Taylor-Brown J, et al. Evaluation of CancerChatCanada: a program of online support for Canadians affected by cancer. Curr Oncol. 2013;20:39–47.PubMedPubMedCentral
72.
Stephen J, Collie K, McLeod D, Rojubally A, Fergus K, Speca M, et al. Talking with text: communication in therapist-led, live chat cancer support groups. Soc Sci Med. 2014;104:178–86.PubMed
73.
Gustafson DH, McTavish F, Stengle W, Ballard D, Hawkins R, Shaw BR, et al. Use and impact of eHealth system by low-income women with breast cancer. J Health Commun. 2005;10:195–218.PubMed
74.
Shaw B, Gustafson DH, Hawkins R, McTavish F, McDowell H, Pingree S, et al. How underserved breast cancer patients use and benefit from eHealth programs: implications for closing the digital divide. Am Behav Sci. 2006;49:823–34.
75.
Namkoong K, DuBenske LL, Shaw BR, Gustafson DH, Hawkins RP, Shah DV, et al. Creating a bond between caregivers online: effect on caregivers’ coping strategies. J Health Commun. 2012;17:125–40.PubMed
76.
Finfgeld DL. Therapeutic groups online: the good, the bad, and the unknown. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2000;21:241–55.PubMed
77.
Oravec JA. On-line medical information and service delivery: implications for health education. Health Educ J. 2000;31:105–10.
78.
Owen JE, Klapow JC, Roth DL, Nabell L, Tucker DC. Improving the effectiveness of adjuvant psychological treatment for women with breast cancer: the feasibility of providing online support. Psychooncology. 2004;13:281–92.PubMed
79.
Courtenay WH. College men’s health: an overview and a call to action. J Am Coll Health. 1998;46:279–90.PubMed
80.
Rule WR, Gandy GL. A thirteen-year comparison in patterns of attitudes toward counseling. Adolescence. 1994;29:575–89.PubMed
81.
Robertson MF. Differential use by male and female students of the counselling service of an Australian tertiary college: implications for service design and counselling models. Int J Adv Counsel. 1988;11:231–40.
82.
Fergus KD, Reid DW. The couple’s mutual identity and reflexivity: a systematic-constructivist approach to the integration of persons and systems. J Psychother Integr. 2001;11:385–410.
83.
Reid DW, Dalton EJ, Laderoute K, Doell FK, Nguyen T. Therapeutically induced changes in couple identity: the role of we-ness and interpersonal processing in relationship satisfaction. Genet Soc Gen Psychol Monogr. 2006;132:241–84.PubMed
84.
Reid DW, Doell FK, Dalton EJ, Ahmad S. Systemic-constructivist couple therapy (SCCT): description of approach, theoretical advances, and published longitudinal evidence. Psychotherapy. 2008;45:477–90.PubMed
85.
Rolland JS. In sickness and in health: the impact of illness on couples’ relationships. J Marital Fam Ther. 1994;20:327–47.
86.
Fergus KD, Reid DW. Integrating constructivist and systemic metatheory in family therapy. J Constr Psychol. 2002;15:41–63.
87.
Reid D, Ahmad S. Identification with the Relationship as Essential to Marital Resilience: Theory, Application, and Evidence. In: Couple Resilience Across the Lifespan: Emerging Perspectives. Edited by Skerrett K, Fergus K. Netherlands: Springer SBM; 2015. in press.
88.
Kayser K, Watson LE, Andrade JT. Cancer as a “we-disease”: examining the process of coping from a relational perspective. Fam Syst Health. 2007;25:404–18.
89.
Skerrett K. Couple dialogues with illness: expanding the “we”. Fam Syst Health. 2003;21:69–80.
90.
Skerrett K. Resilience in Couple Relationships: a View of the Landscape. In: Couple Resilience Across the Lifespan: Emerging Perspectives. Edited by Skerrett K, Fergus K. Netherlands: Springer SBM; 2015. in press.
91.
Bodenmann G. Dyadic Coping and its Significance for Marital Functioning. In: Couples Coping with Stress: Emerging Perspectives on Dyadic Coping. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2005. p. 33–49.
92.
Fergus KD. Theoretical and Methodological Underpinnings of Resilience in Couples: Locating the ‘We’. In: Couple Resilience Across the Lifespan: Emerging Perspectives. Edited by Skerrett K, Fergus K. Netherlands: Springer SBM; 2015. in press.
93.
Badr H, Carmack CL, Kashy DA, Cristofanilli M, Revenson TA. Dyadic coping in metastatic breast cancer. Health Psychol. 2010;29:169–80.PubMedPubMedCentral
94.
Skerrett K. Couple adjustment to the experience of breast cancer. Fam Syst Health. 1998;16:281–98.
95.
Dorval M, Guay S, Mondor M, Masse B, Falardeau M, Robidoux A, et al. Couples who get closer after breast cancer: frequency and predictors in a prospective investigation. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:3588–96.PubMed
96.
Gottman JM. The Marriage Clinic: A Scientifically Based Marital Therapy. New York: WW Norton & Co; 1999.
97.
Fergus KD, McLeod D, Carter W, Warner E, Gardner S, Granek L, et al. Development and pilot testing of an online intervention to support young couples’ coping and adjustment to breast cancer. Eur J Cancer Care. 2014;24:481–92.
98.
Fergus KD, Carter W, McLeod D, Lewin J. Couplelinks Program Facilitation Manual. York University, Toronto, Ontario: Department of Psychology; 2011.
99.
Busby DM, Crane DR, Larson JH, Christensen C. A revision of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for use with distressed and nondistressed couples: construct hierarchy and multidimensional scales. J Marital Fam Ther. 1995;21:289–308.
100.
Spanier GB. Measuring dyadic adjustment: new scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads. J Marriage Fam. 1976;38:15–28.
101.
Schumm WR, Paff-Bergen LA, Hatch RC, Obiorah FC, Copeland JM, Meens LD, et al. Concurrent and discriminant validity of the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. J Marriage Fam. 1986;48:381–7.
102.
Arrindell WA, Boelens W, Lambert H. On the psychometric properties of the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire (MMQ): evaluation of self-ratings in distressed and “normal” volunteer couples based on the Dutch version. Pers Individ Dif. 1983;4:293–306.
103.
Johnston M, Pollard B, Hennessey P. Construct validation of the hospital anxiety and depression scale with clinical populations. J Psychosom Res. 2000;48:579–84.PubMed
104.
Lisspers J, Nygren A, Söderman E. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD): some psychometric data for a Swedish sample. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997;96:281–6.PubMed
105.
Brady MJ, Cella DF, Mo F, Bonomi AE, Tulsky DS, Lloyd SR, et al. Reliability and validity of the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast quality-of-life instrument. J Clin Oncol. 1997;15:974–86.PubMed
106.
Ledermann T, Bodenmann G, Gagliardi S, Charvoz L, Verardi S, Rossier J, et al. Psychometrics of the Dyadic Coping Inventory in three language groups. Swiss J Psychol. 2010;69:201–12.
107.
Devilly GJ, Borkovec TD. Psychometric properties of the credibility/expectancy questionnaire. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2000;31:73–86.PubMed
108.
Brooke J. SUS: a Quick and Dirty Usability Scale. In: Jordan PW, Thomas B, Weermeester BA, McClelland IL, editors. Usability Evaluation in Industry. London: Taylor & Francis; 1996.
109.
Atkins DC. Using multilevel models to analyze couple and family treatment data: basic and advanced issues. J Fam Psychol. 2005;19:98–110.PubMed
110.
111.
Scott JL, Halford WK, Ward BG. United we stand? The effects of a couple-coping intervention on adjustment to early stage breast or gynecological cancer. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004;72:1122–35.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Couplelinks - an online intervention for young women with breast cancer and their male partners: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Karen Fergus
Saunia Ahmad
Deborah L McLeod
Joanne Stephen
Sandra Gardner
Amanda Pereira
Ellen Warner
Wendy Carter
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-014-0534-8

Other articles of this Issue 1/2015

Trials 1/2015 Go to the issue

Study protocol

Investigating the effect of remote ischaemic preconditioning on biomarkers of stress and injury-related signalling in patients having isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement using cardiopulmonary bypass: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Study protocol

BEWARE: Body awareness training in the treatment of wearing-off related anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Letter

Physical activity screening to recruit inactive randomized controlled trial participants: how much is too much?

Study protocol

Treatment of depression and anxiety with internet-based cognitive behavior therapy in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (U-CARE Heart): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Study protocol

Trial for the Prevention of Depression (TriPoD) in final-year secondary students: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

Study protocol

The FOCUS trial: cognitive remediation plus standard treatment versus standard treatment for patients at ultra-high risk for psychosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial