Effectiveness of proactive health interventions in reducing symptoms and enhancing self-efficacy and self-management in prostate cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a proactive health intervention in reducing symptoms, enhancing self-efficacy, and improving self-management capabilities in prostate cancer survivors.

Methods

A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 200 prostate cancer survivors at a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 95), which received a 3-month proactive health management program based on five health modules with online and telephone follow-up, or the control group (n = 97), which received routine telephone follow-up care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-discharge, focusing on prostate cancer symptoms, self-care ability, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being.

Results

Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in prostate cancer symptoms (95% CI = [− 5.898, − 1.756], p < 0.001), self-care ability (95% CI = [14.427, 20.878], p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (95% CI = [0.078, 0.408], p = 0.004) after the intervention. Anxiety and depression (95% CI = [− 2.408, − 1.404], p < 0.001) were significantly reduced at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline, although no significant difference was observed between the groups.

Conclusions

The 3-month proactive health management intervention significantly reduced symptoms, anxiety, and depression in prostate cancer survivors, while improving self-care ability and self-efficacy. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.

Implications for cancer survivors

Rehabilitation for prostate cancer survivors should integrate both physical and psychological recovery to address comprehensive health needs. Enhancing survivors’ proactive health management skills supports sustained recovery.

Clinical trials registration

ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: ChiCTR2300076594.