Couple-based group intervention for social isolation in colorectal cancer couples: A pilot study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and their spousal caregivers frequently experience social isolation. Nevertheless, interventions targeting social isolation mitigation in CRC dyads remain limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of couple-based group intervention for alleviating social isolation in Chinese CRC couples.

The study utilized a single-arm pre-post intervention design, comprising a structured six-session group program that blended face-to-face and online components. Feasibility was evaluated through recruitment and retention rates. Acceptability was assessed via a mixed-methods approach combining post-intervention surveys with open-ended interviews. Outcome measures included validated instruments: the General Alienation Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short-Form version 2, Dyadic Coping Inventory, and Perceived Social Support Scale.

The program demonstrated feasibility with a 62.5 % recruitment rate and an 85 % retention rate. Quantitative and qualitative data supported its acceptability through CRC couples' overall satisfaction. Effectiveness was evidenced by medium effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.54-0.59) on both subjective and objective measures of social isolation and most secondary outcomes in CRC patients and spousal caregivers. Notably, spousal caregivers showed borderline significant improvements in physical health (d = 0.50, P = 0.056) and social support (d = 0.49, P = 0.063).

The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the couple-based group intervention for social isolation in CRC couples were confirmed. These findings warrant a large-scale randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate the intervention's long-term effectiveness and potential for clinical implementation.