Effects of a ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To explore the effects of a ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work. Methods A single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial design was used. Eligible patients who were receiving routine hospital treatment were recruited from the university-affiliated hospital in our city. Patients in the control group only received usual care, while patients in the intervention group received additional ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention. Adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy of returning to work, mental resilience, quality of life and work ability were measured at baseline, the 6th and 12th of the intervention. The general estimation equations were used to compare the overall changes of each outcome index between the two groups at different time points. Considering that there may be patient shedding and rejection, Per-Protocol and Intention-to-Treat analysis were used to analyze the data in this study. Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in the cancer patients’ adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities, the physical, emotional, cognitive function, fatigue, insomnia and overall health status dimensions of quality of life ( P < 0.05). And no significant difference was found in other dimensions ( P > 0.05). The group effect, time effect, and interaction effect of patients’ return to work adaptability and return to work self-efficacy were statistically significant in both groups ( P < 0.05). Mental resilience, working ability, and quality of life had obvious time effect and interaction effect ( P < 0.05). Conclusion This intervention could improve cancer patients’ adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities and quality of life. And it can be further expanded to improve the adaptability of patients to return to work, then to help patients achieve comprehensive rehabilitation. Implications for cancer survivors The application of ‘Rebuilding Myself’ interventions can effectively improve the adaptability of cancer patients returning to work. Trial registration This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2200057943) on 23 March, 2022.