Sherman KA, et al. - Researchers determined the effect of My Changed Body [MyCB; a Web-based psychological intervention to alleviate body image–related distress (BID) and improve body appreciation in survivors of breast cancer (BCSs) through a single-session, self-compassion focused writing activity]. They also assessed the moderating impact of lymphedema status (affected or unaffected) and appearance investment (self-importance placed on personal appearance) and the mediating influence of self-compassion. MyCB was found to be effective for attenuating BID and enhancing body appreciation among BCSs.

Methods

• Random assignment of women (disease-free stage I to III BCSs who had experienced at least one negative event related to bodily changes after breast cancer) to either MyCB (n = 149) or an expressive writing control arm (n = 155) was carried out.
• Reduction in BID and improvement in body appreciation 1 week after intervention were primary outcomes, and secondary outcomes included psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and self-compassion.
• One week, 1 month, and 3 months after writing, follow-up assessments were performed.

Results

• As per observations, compliance with the MyCB intervention was 88%, and attrition was 9.2%.
• Compared with expressive writing participants, significantly less BID (P=.035) and greater body appreciation (P=.004) and self-compassion (P < .001) was reported by participants who received MyCB, as indicated in intent-to-treat linear mixed models.
• Findings showed that by lymphedema status (P=.007) and appearance investment (P=.042), intervention impacts on BID were moderated.
• Impacts on both primary outcomes were mediated by self-compassion.
• At 1 month (BID and body appreciation) and 3 months (body appreciation) after intervention, therapeutic impacts were found to be maintained.
• For MyCB participants with lymphedema, researchers noted significant reductions in psychological distress (1-month depression, P=.001; 1-week and 1-month anxiety, P=.007).