Targeting Fear of Cancer Recurrence with Internet-Based Emotional Freedom Techniques (iEFT) and Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (iMMI) (BGOG-gyn1b/REMOTE).
Laura Tack, Lore Mertens, Marte Vandeweyer, Fien Florin, Emma Pauwels, Thaïs Baert, Tom Boterberg, Christel Fontaine, Kurt Geldhof, Caroline Lamot, Christine Langenaeken, Jeroen Mebis, Laure-Anne Teuwen, Katherine Vandenborre, Heidi Van den Bulck, Florence Van Ryckeghem, Mohammad Najlah, Patricia Schofield, Philip R Debruyne
Brain sciences August 22, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15090900 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAbout one-third of cancer survivors need professional help for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). The REMOTE trial tests two internet-based mind-body techniques to address this need. Cancer survivors screened with the Cancer Worry Scale are randomly assigned to internet-based emotional freedom techniques (iEFT), an internet-based mindfulness meditation intervention (iMMI), or a wait-list control group, each with 113 participants. Both interventions are delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams and an online platform. The primary outcome is FCR level; secondary outcomes are emotional distress and quality of life. If effective, these interventions could be readily implemented in clinical practice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 339 |
| Population | Cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence |
| Interventions | internet-based emotional freedom techniques internet-based mindfulness meditation |
| Keywords | Emotional freedom techniques Internet-based interventions Mindfulness meditation Cancer recurrence anxiety Fcr |
| Key finding | The trial aims to determine whether internet-based emotional freedom techniques or mindfulness meditation reduce fear of cancer recurrence compared to a wait-list control. |
Abstract
Approximately one-third of cancer survivors report a need for professional help to cope with Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR). In the REMOTE trial, we aim to investigate the efficacy of two internet-based mind-body techniques to address this currently unmet medical need. Cancer survivors, screened using the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), are randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: (1) internet-based emotional freedom techniques (iEFT) (n = 113), (2) an active control condition internet-based mindfulness meditation intervention (iMMI) (n = 113), or (3) a wait-list control group (WLC) (n = 113). The interventions iEFT and iMMI are conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams (Microsoft, Redmond, WA), and participants have access to an online platform via the MyNexuzHealth application (nexuzhealth NV, Hasselt, Belgium). The primary endpoint is the level of FCR. Secondary outcomes are emotional distress and quality of life (QoL). If iEFT and/or iMMI appear to be effective in reducing FCR, they could be readily implemented in clinical practice.