The SWORD-study: Managing fear of cancer recurrence.

Interventions: The intervention is designed as blended care, combining traditional face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with online activities (psycho-education, assignments, assessments and therapist contact). If access to the website is not possible a workbook will be supplied instead. The CBT lasts three months and comprises five individual hourly face to face sessions, supplemented with three (15 minute) electronic consultations (‘e-consults’) or contact by telephone. The therapy protocol is based on a theoretical model by Lee-Jones (1997) which hypothesizes that an emotional reaction (fear) can be the result of interpretations and cognitions of the threat of cancer, triggered by perceptions of internal and/or external cues, leading to dysfunctional behavior and subsequently an increased fear response. The CBT is directed at change of the cognitions and behaviors managing FCR. It contains techniques commonly used in psychotherapy, such as cognitive reframing, exposure- and response prevention, psycho-education, mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
Primary outcome(s): Fear of cancer recurrence as measured with the cancer worry scale (CWS).
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial, Open (masking not used), Active, Parallel