Effect of digital storytelling intervention on resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

To verify and compare whether the digital stories could effectively improve the resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life of postoperative NSCLC patients.

Materials and methods

A total of 90 participants at baseline were randomly assigned to two groups, 45 patients per group. The intervention group received the digital storytelling intervention which includes 4 videos on different topics: positive psychological quality, cultivating healthy living habits, establishing good social support, and insisting on scientific exercise, whereas the control group received only routine care. The resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life were assessed at baseline (T0) (within 3 days before surgery), immediately after intervention (T1), one month after intervention (T2), and three months after intervention (T3). A linear mixed effects model was used to test the effects of the digital storytelling interventions on resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

Results

The intervention group reported significantly greater improvements in resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life (all P < 0.001) at follow-ups than the control group after controlling for age, gender, and education level as covariates. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis results are consistent with the per-protocol, that overall time × group interactions effects were significantly different in resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The digital storytelling intervention based on lung cancer survivors' experience can effectively improve resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life in postoperative lung cancer patients. More comprehensive researches are needed to evaluate the longer-term impacts of the DST and its feasibility for those with more advanced cancer.