Application of WeChat-based cognitive behavioural stress management for early-stage cervical cancer patients: a randomised controlled study

This randomised controlled study was aimed at investigating the effects of WeChat-based cognitive behavioural stress management (WB-CBSM) on the mental health of patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated with surgical resection. A total of 184 patients with early-stage cervical cancer were randomised to receive either WB-CBSM (<i>n</i> = 92) or normal care (NC) (<i>n</i> = 92) for 8 weeks. Compared with the NC group, the WB-CBSM group exhibited reduced Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)–anxiety scores at months (M)1 (<i>t</i> = 2.022, <i>P</i> = 0.045), M3 (<i>t</i> = 2.575, <i>P</i> = 0.011), and M6 (<i>t</i> = 2.709, <i>P</i> = 0.007); anxiety rates at M3 (<i>χ²</i> = 4.834, <i>P</i> = 0.028) and M6 (<i>χ²</i> = 5.182, <i>P</i> = 0.023); HADS–depression scores at M3 (<i>t</i> = 2.069, <i>P</i> = 0.040) and M6 (<i>t</i> = 2.449, <i>P</i> = 0.015); and depression rates at M6 (<i>χ²</i> = 4.268, <i>P</i> = 0.039). Moreover, the WB-CBSM group showed increased Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being scale scores at M1 (<i>t</i> = −2.001, <i>P</i> = 0.047), M3 (<i>t</i> = −2.281, <i>P</i> = 0.024), and M6 (<i>t</i> = −3.501, <i>P</i> = 0.001); the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) global health score at M3 (<i>t</i> = −2.034, <i>P</i> = 0.043) and M6 (<i>t</i> = −2.426, <i>P</i> = 0.016); and QLQ-C30 function score at M3 (<i>t</i> = −2.009, <i>P</i> = 0.046). However, the groups exhibited decreased EuroQol-5 dimension scores at M3 (<i>t</i> = 2.056, <i>P</i> = 0.041) and M6 ((<i>t</i> = 2.242, <i>P</i> = 0.026) and QLQ-C30 symptom scores at M1 (<i>t</i> = 2.026, <i>P</i> = 0.044) and M3 (<i>t</i> = 2.210, <i>P</i> = 0.028). WB-CBSM reduced anxiety and depression and improved the spiritual well-being and quality of life of patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated with surgical resection. Patients with cervical cancer usually need to cope with mental health problems after surgery due to physical recovery and lack of social communication. Effective nursing care is thus essential for these patients. This study included 184 patients with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent surgical resections. Patients were randomised to receive WeChat-based cognitive behavioural stress management (WB-CBSM) (<i>n</i> = 92) or normal care (NC) (<i>n</i> = 92) for 8 weeks. WB-CBSM decreased anxiety scores at month (M) 1, M3, and M6; it also reduced depression scores at M3 and M6 compared with NC. Moreover, WB-CBSM increased spiritual well-being at M1, M3, and M6 and improved quality of life from the aspects of global health at M3 and M6, function at M3, and symptoms at M1 and M3. In summary, WB-CBSM improves psychological health and quality of life of patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated with surgical resection.