Feasibility and preliminary effect of a couple‐based posttraumatic growth intervention for colorectal cancer couples: A randomized controlled pilot study

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes severe physical and psychological impacts on the patients as well as their spousal caregivers. To facilitate the psychological adaptation of the CRC suffered couples, a couple‐based posttraumatic growth (PTG) intervention was developed based on the PTG affective‐cognitive processing model. The feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effect of this intervention were tested. Methods A pre–post randomized controlled pilot trail was conducted for Chinese couples coping with CRC. Participants in the intervention group were provided five weekly sessions consecutively, while those in the control group were treated with usual care during the testing period. Outcomes were described as positive changes (PTG, benefit finding [BF]), marital satisfaction, quality of life and anxiety and depression. Qualitative method was also used to evaluate the programme participating sense of the couples. Results The rate of programme recruitment and programme retention amounts to 78.6% and 87.5%, respectively. The participants have reported overall satisfaction for the programme attendance and have suggested detailed diet guidance. Significant effects were revealed in the outcomes for the CRC couples, including PTG, marital satisfaction, BF, physical and mental health and anxiety and depression. Conclusion The study confirmed the feasibility and preliminary positive effect of the couple‐based PTG intervention for the CRC couples. However, in order to extend it in more general applications, large‐scale researches are warranted. Practical implication The couple‐based intervention is effective for couples coping with CRC. Clinicians should take the components of the intervention into consideration in their practice work for the CRC couples.