Implementation of Psychosocial Intervention StomieCare for Patients with Rectal Cancer Treated by Rectal Excision and Temporary Stoma: A Pilot Study of Feasibility, Acceptability and Efficacy

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of StomieCare for rectal cancer patients undergoing surgery with a temporary stoma. StomieCare (three individual sessions) comprises thematic discussions, information and education, and teaching problem-solving and cognitive restructuring. Methods: Thirty-seven rectal cancer participants treated by surgery and temporary stoma were recruited and randomized to control (routine care approach, n = 20) and intervention (routine care and StomieCare, n = 17) groups. Outcomes were psychological distress (anxiety and depression, HADS), body image (BIS, ESS), and quality of life (FACT-C), at one week before surgery (T1) and 3 months after stoma closure (T2). Interand intragroup statistical analyses were performed. Results: This study demonstrated that StomieCare is feasible and acceptable. At T2, depression scores were higher for controls than for the intervention group. The mean scores for quality of life, depression, and body image decreased in the control group but remained stable in the intervention group. Anxiety scores significantly decreased between T1 and T2 only for the control group. Conclusion: StomieCare is a feasible and acceptable intervention for the prevention of depressive symptomatology.