In a groundbreaking development at the intersection of digital health and oncology support, researchers have unveiled a novel internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention specifically designed for parents of children treated for cancer. This innovation comes after widespread recognition of the substantial psychological burdens faced by these parents, including pervasive symptoms of depression and anxiety—issues that have, until now, lacked tailored, evidence-based therapeutic resources. The newly developed intervention, named EJDeR, promises to fill this critical gap by providing accessible, tailored mental health support in a format that aligns with modern digital lifestyles.
The impetus for this intervention stems from the understanding that cancer’s impact extends far beyond the patient to deeply affect family members, particularly parents, whose mental health often remains overlooked by mainstream clinical services. Building on this insight, the intervention takes advantage of the internet’s ubiquity, offering a guided self-help format grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy principles. Low-intensity CBT is known for its effectiveness in treating anxiety and depression by focusing on practical skills and cognitive restructuring. The internet-administered nature enables delivery that is not only convenient but also scalable across different geographic and demographic groups.
Crucially, the research team evaluated the initial acceptability and feasibility of EJDeR through the ENGAGE feasibility trial, which functioned as a pilot to assess the intervention’s real-world application. Early findings from ENGAGE indicated that both the intervention and associated study procedures were largely viable and acceptable to parents navigating the taxing aftermath of their child’s cancer treatment. Nevertheless, these preliminary results also revealed areas where modifications were necessary to better align the intervention with parent needs and technological realities, highlighting the importance of iterative refinement based on user feedback.
To deepen this understanding, the study incorporated a qualitative research component involving 52 parents—17 fathers and 35 mothers—who participated in semi-structured interviews. This qualitative approach allowed researchers to capture nuanced insights into parents’ experiences, perceptions, and challenges encountered while engaging with EJDeR. Notably, a public contributor group comprised of three parents who had firsthand experience raising children treated for cancer was integrally involved in data analysis, ensuring the findings were grounded in lived experience rather than purely academic interpretation.
The resulting analysis yielded a rich, multifaceted portrait of EJDeR’s perceived strengths and limitations. Parents found the intervention broadly acceptable and relevant to their mental health needs, appreciating its guided, flexible format delivered via the internet. Positive attitudes toward digital health support, especially when personalized guidance was available, underscored the potential of EJDeR as a transformative tool for mental health care access. These findings parallel broader trends that recognize digital interventions as essential complements or alternatives to traditional face-to-face therapy, particularly in vulnerable populations.
However, significant opportunities for improvement emerged from parental feedback. Participants called for a more comprehensive incorporation of family-wide dynamics within the intervention, suggesting that exclusive focus on individual psychological factors insufficiently captures the ripple effects of a child’s cancer journey. Further, the traumatic nature of cancer and its enduring psychological imprint necessitated heightened sensitivity and content depth addressing trauma-related issues. This refinement would better resonate with parents’ lived realities and potentially enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Technological barriers also surfaced as critical determinants of engagement. Some parents reported difficulties interfacing with the platform, citing challenges in navigation and functionality. Moreover, compatibility with smartphones and tablets—a necessity in an era where mobile device usage eclipses desktop computing—was identified as a key area for enhancement to optimize user-friendliness and accessibility. Such technical obstacles could undermine the very feasibility and acceptability the intervention seeks to promote if not adequately addressed.
The study procedures themselves, including recruitment and assessment processes, were generally acceptable but elicited recommendations for streamlining. Parents suggested that the informational materials provided could better clarify distinctions between involvement in the intervention versus research protocols, reducing confusion and enhancing informed consent. Additionally, the volume and frequency of assessments were perceived as burdensome, indicating a need to balance data collection with participant convenience and retention.
Strikingly, the involvement of public contributors in the qualitative analysis enriched the interpretive depth of the findings. Their lived experience facilitated the identification of subtle nuances that the research team initially overlooked, such as difficulties parents faced in differentiating the intervention activities from study-related procedures. This collaboration exemplifies the value of patient and public engagement in enhancing the relevance, clarity, and empathy embedded in healthcare research, turning abstract data into actionable insights firmly rooted in real-world contexts.
From a broader perspective, EJDeR’s development and evaluation represent a significant stride towards democratizing mental health support for families navigating the aftermath of pediatric cancer treatment. By leveraging digital platforms paired with therapeutic guidance, this approach seeks to dismantle traditional access barriers, including geographical constraints, stigma, and the scarcity of specialized psychological services. The intervention’s low-intensity framework also aligns with efficient resource allocation, allowing mental health professionals to extend their reach without compromising quality.
The researchers’ transparent acknowledgment of the needed refinements underscores a commitment to responsive innovation. They advocate for iterative revisions informed by comprehensive qualitative feedback, technological enhancements focused on user experience, and clearer communication surrounding study and intervention concurrent participation. Such iterative cycles are fundamental in digital health intervention development, ensuring tools remain adaptable, user-centered, and effective in diverse real-world settings.
Ultimately, findings from this qualitative study provide compelling evidence that digital, guided CBT interventions like EJDeR hold promise within psycho-oncology and pediatric family mental health domains. The results encourage further research through expanded trials incorporating these modifications, with the aim of validating efficacy, broadening demographic reach, and integrating such tools into standard care pathways. Moreover, the study models best practices in co-production and public involvement, showcasing how partnerships between researchers and lived experience experts can elevate scientific rigor and ethical integrity.
As mental health needs continue to escalate globally, particularly among populations affected by chronic and life-altering illnesses, innovations such as EJDeR may redefine therapeutic landscapes. They illustrate how technology-enabled, person-centered care can bridge gaps in conventional service delivery, enhancing resilience and well-being among those who bear the emotional toll of childhood cancer. This research not only advances clinical science but also sparks vital conversations about inclusivity, digital equity, and the future of psychological support in complex medical contexts.
The journey towards refining and disseminating EJDeR embodies a paradigm shift towards embracing digital mental health solutions tailored to unique, underserved groups. The study’s comprehensive qualitative insights provide a roadmap for overcoming barriers to engagement, optimizing user interfaces, and ensuring interventions reflect the intricate realities of affected families. Through continued interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, such endeavours could transform health outcomes for countless parents and their children worldwide.
In sum, the detailed exploration of EJDeR’s acceptability and feasibility underscores the immense potential of internet-administered, guided, low-intensity CBT in meeting the psychological needs of parents of children treated for cancer. While refinement remains paramount, this research lays critical groundwork for future intervention development, emphasizing inclusivity, public involvement, and user-centered design as cornerstones of effective digital mental health strategies.
Subject of Research: Psychological support interventions for parents of children treated for cancer; feasibility and acceptability of digital guided low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy.
Article Title: The acceptability and feasibility of an internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for parents of children treated for cancer: findings from a qualitative study involving public contributors.
Article References:
Thiblin, E., Lundgren, J., Bergqvist, M. et al. The acceptability and feasibility of an internet-administered, guided, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for parents of children treated for cancer: findings from a qualitative study involving public contributors. BMC Psychiatry 25, 499 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06897-y
Image Credits: AI Generated
