title: Rebuilding self-confidence after cancer: a feasibility study of life-coaching.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer survivors often experience decreased self-confidence which impacts negatively on their ability to self-manage the practical, social and emotional problems frequently faced as they emerge from end of treatment. This was a feasibility study of a life-coaching intervention, designed to rebuild confidence of survivors and support transition to life after cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one group pre-test, post-test design was used, recruiting participants from community organisations. Eligibility criteria are as follows: <1 year of completion of primary cancer treatment, aged >18, no metastases, and no mental health problems. Participants received one individualised face-to-face and five telephone coaching sessions over 3 months. Outcome measures are as follows: New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Hope Scale, Personal Well-being Index, Assessment of Survivorship Concerns, Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Social Difficulties Index, and a goal attainment score. Interviews explored feasibility, acceptability and impact of life-coaching and research design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine women and two men were recruited, representing varying cancer diagnoses. All outcome measures were sensitive to change and indicated positive trends post-intervention. Participant interviews indicated the intervention was well received and had a positive impact. Lessons were learnt about study design, recruitment and intervention delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Life-coaching has a potential to enable cancer survivors to manage the transition to life beyond cancer and effect change on a range of outcomes. The intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to survivors at a time when many struggle to make sense of life. It merits further evaluation through a randomised controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, S017 1BJ, UK, r.wagland@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wagland
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fenlon
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarrant
authors.forename: Gilly
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howard-Jones
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013689:Telephone