title: Improving couples' quality of life through a Web-based prostate cancer education intervention
abstract: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed web-based, couple-oriented intervention called Prostate Cancer Education and Resources for Couples (PERC).
  
  
  
  Quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods approach.
  
  
  
  Oncology outpatient clinics at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC–Chapel Hill.
  
  
  
  26 patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) and their partners.
  
  
  
  Pre- and postpilot quantitative assessments and a postpilot qualitative interview were conducted.
  
  
  
  General and PCa-specific symptoms, quality of life, psychosocial factors, PERC’s ease of use, and web activities.
  
  
  
  Improvement was shown in some PCa-specific and general symptoms (small effect sizes for patients and small-to-medium effect sizes for partners), overall quality of life, and physical and social domains of quality of life for patients (small effect sizes). Web activity data indicated high PERC use. Qualitative and quantitative analyses indicated that participants found PERC easy to use and understand,as well as engaging, of high quality, and relevant. Overall, participants were satisfied with PERC and reported that PERC improved their knowledge about symptom management and communication as a couple.
  
  
  
  PERC was a feasible, acceptable method of reducing the side effects of PCa treatment–related symptoms and improving quality of life.
  
  
  
  PERC has the potential to reduce the negative impacts of symptoms and enhance quality of life for patients with localized PCa and their partners, particularly for those who live in rural areas and have limited access to post-treatment supportive care.
authors: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Lixin
authors: 0000-0001-8286-319X
authors: L
authors: Song
authors: Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Rini
authors: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Allison M
authors: AM
authors: Deal
authors: Division of Urologic Oncology at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Matthew E
authors: ME
authors: Nielsen
authors: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Chang
authors: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Patty
authors: P
authors: Kinneer
authors: Nutrition Communication for Health Applications and Interventions Core, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Randall
authors: R
authors: Teal
authors: Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Johnson
authors: Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Mary W
authors: MW
authors: Dunn
authors: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Mark
authors: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Mary H
authors: MH
authors: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: couple; eHealth; intervention; localized prostate cancer; quality of life; symptom management; web-based