Objective:Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR), Health Anxiety (HA), worry, and uncertainty in illness are psychological concerns commonly faced by cancer patients. In survivorship research, these similar, yet different constructs are frequently used interchangeably and multiple instruments are used in to measure them. The lack of clear and consistent conceptualization and measurement can lead to diverse or contradictory interpretations. The purpose of this scoping review was to review, compare, and analyze the current conceptualization and measurements used for FCR, HA, worry, and uncertainty in the breast cancer survivorship literature to improve research and practice.Inclusion Criteria:We considered quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies of breast cancer survivors that examined FCR, HA, worry, or uncertainty in illness as a main topic and included a definition or assessment of the constructs.Methods and Analysis:The six-staged framework was used to guide the scoping review process. Searches of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were conducted. The principle-based qualitative analysis and simultaneous content analysis procedures were employed to synthesize and map the findings.Findings:After duplicate removal, the search revealed 3,299 articles, of which 82 studies met the inclusion criteria. Several critical attributes overlapped the four constructs, for example, all were triggered by internal somatic and external cues. However, several unique attributes were found (e.g., a sense of loss of security in the body is observed only among survivors experiencing FCR). Overall, findings showed that FCR and uncertainty in illness are more likely to be triggered by cancer-specific factors, while worry and HA have more trait-like in terms of characteristics, theoretical features, and correlates. We found that the measures used to assess each construct were on par with their intended constructs. Eighteen approaches were used to measure FCR, 15 for HA, 8 for worry, and 4 for uncertainty.Conclusion:While consensus on the conceptualization and measurement of the four constructs has not yet been reached, this scoping review identifies key similarities and differences to aid in their selection and measurement. Considering the observed overlap between the four studied constructs, further research delineating the unique attributes for each construct is warranted.

Background: Given the multifaceted complexity in the nature of randomized controlled trials, identifying an appropriate and comparable control condition is an essential step to ensure methodological rigor, which allows for researchers to draw unambiguous conclusions concerning the efficacy of the intervention being studied. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to (a) review the current literature and analyze the control condition designs in exercise interventions targeted for cancer survivors; (b) provide an overview of the benefits and limitations of various types of control conditions used in exercise interventions; (c) discuss the considerations in the design of control conditions for exercise interventions; and (d) suggest recommendations for control condition design in future trials of behavioral interventions. Results: The review of randomized controlled trials of exercise training interventions for cancer survivors revealed that the design of control conditions varied. The most commonly employed design could be classified into two major categories: (a) active controls including attention control, add-on controls, and dismantling controls; and (b) inactive controls including no-treatment, usual care, and wait-list control. Examples from the literature are presented. Four principal considerations concerning control condition design, including appropriateness, credibility, appeal, and comparability, are discussed. Recommendations on how to avoid some major threats to validity and potential biases are also provided. Conclusions: Careful planning for the control group design is as important as for the intervention group. Researchers can use the considerations presented in the paper to assist in planning for the most appropriate control condition for their study.

Objectives The objective of this scoping review is to map and synthesise existing literature on interventions aimed at promoting healthy screen use among adolescents. This review identifies the types, functions and settings of interventions, explores the diversity of targeted outcomes and highlights equity considerations and research gaps. Design We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Data sources We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO and ERIC from January 2013 to June 2024. Reference lists of included studies were also manually screened. Eligibility criteria We included peer-reviewed experimental, quasi-experimental, observational and qualitative studies reporting on interventions designed to promote healthy screen use among adolescents aged 10–19 years. Data extraction and synthesis One author extracted data using a structured charting form, and a second author verified all entries. Results were synthesised descriptively across key themes including target populations, theoretical frameworks, intervention components and reported outcomes. Results From 6433 records, we identified 93 articles on 81 interventions, mainly conducted in high school settings in the USA and Australia. Most examined short-term interventions targeting recreational screen time. Outcomes included media literacy, cyberbullying, internet and gaming addiction, safe internet use, social media use and mental and sexual health. Seventy-eight per cent of interventions attempted to educate adolescents, while 34% offered training activities (eg, educational sessions to elevate risk awareness and skill-based training to enhance digital literacy and self-regulation). Interventions targeting external influences were used less frequently. About 20% of studies showed no statistically significant findings, highlighting the need to promote evidence-based interventions. Conclusion This review identifies a need for broader, multilevel strategies that account for contextual factors and social determinants in influencing screen use and its related health issues. Future research should explore long-term effectiveness while examining the potential moderating and mediating effects of social determinants. Equity considerations were not a primary focus of most interventions, underscoring an important gap in this literature. Future interventions could incorporate equity-focused design and evaluation to ensure they respond to the needs of diverse adolescent populations.

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common, distressing concern among cancer survivors, with implications for psychological well-being and quality of life. Despite the proliferation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess FCR, consensus on the most valid and reliable instruments remains limited. Objective: To conduct a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of FCR PROMs developed or validated between 2011 and 2023, using the full COSMIN methodology. This review builds on earlier work by systematically appraising both newly developed and adapted instruments to inform evidence-based PROM selection for clinical and research use. Methods: This review followed the COSMIN 10-step procedure and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six databases were searched from January 2011 to December 2023. A search cut-off of 31 December 2023 was applied to align with COSMIN feasibility recommendations and ensure sufficient time and resources for full psychometric evaluation across all included PROMs. Eligible studies included adults diagnosed with cancer and reported on the psychometric evaluation of a self-reported, Likert-scale-based FCR PROM. PROMs were appraised across eight psychometric properties using COSMIN’s Risk of Bias checklist, criteria for good measurement properties, and modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) for evidence quality. Instruments were categorized as A, B, or C according to COSMIN’s recommendations. Results: Of the 34 PROMs evaluated across 32 studies, 28 achieved COSMIN Category A status, indicating sufficient psychometric quality for clinical or research use. Among the 19 FCRI and FoP-Q instruments validated in new cultural or population contexts, 15 received a Category A rating, reflecting strong cross-cultural performance. Short forms such as the FCRI-SF and FoP-Q-SF demonstrated consistent psychometric strength across French, English, Portuguese, and Asian-language versions. Of the 14 newly developed PROMs—including the CWS-6, FCR4/7, CARQ-4, and FCR-1—12 achieved Category A. The FCR-1 was the only single-item PROM to demonstrate responsiveness, supporting its use in both screening and longitudinal monitoring. For practical guidance, five PROMs (FCR-1, FCRI-SF, FoP-Q-SF, FCR-7, and CWS) emerged as the most strongly supported for clinical use. Conclusions: This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of contemporary FCR PROMs and highlights substantial progress in the development of valid, reliable, and culturally adaptable tools. The FCRI, FoP-Q-SF, and several newly developed short forms, such as FCR7, CWS, and particularly, the FCR-1, emerge as strong candidates for use in clinical screening and longitudinal assessment. These findings offer clear evidence-based guidance for instrument selection in research and survivorship care. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023453783.

Background and objective: Treatments of lymphoma can lead to reduced physical functioning, cancer-related fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. These side effects can negatively impact the cancer survivor’s quality of life. Mounting evidence indicates that physical activities are highly therapeutic in mitigating the short- and long-term side effects of cancer treatments. Yet, lymphoma survivors’ participation in physical activities remains suboptimal, which has been further exacerbated by the deleterious effects of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. TheLymfitintervention aims to offer motivational support, expert guidance, and a personalized exercise prescription to optimize physical activities among lymphoma survivors. This proof-of-concept study explores implementation feasibility (retention, technical and safety), and the preliminary effects ofLymfiton various health outcomes.Method: This was a single-armed trial with a pre-and post-test design. Twenty lymphoma survivors were recruited to participate in the 12-weekLymfitintervention. Wearable activity trackers (Fitbit) were given to participants as a motivational tool and for data collection purposes. Participants received a personalized exercise prescription designed by a kinesiologist. Physiologic metrics were collected by the Fitbit monitors and were stored in theLymfitdatabase. Self-reported questionnaires measuring health outcomes were collected at baseline and post-intervention.Results: The retention rate of this trial was 70%. Minimal technical issues and no adverse effects were reported.Lymfitled to significant improvements in sleep disturbances and the ability to participate in social activities and decreased fear of cancer recurrence. It also increased daily steps and decreased sedentary time in participants who did not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines.Significance: With access to resources and fitness centers being limited during the pandemic, theLymfitintervention filled an immediate need to provide physical activity guidance to lymphoma survivors. Findings provide preliminary support that implementing theLymfitintervention is feasible and demonstrated promising results.

Despite the rapidly emerging evidence on the contributions of physical activity to improving cancer-related health outcomes, adherence to physical activity among young adults with lymphoma remains suboptimal. Guided by self-determination theory (SDT), the Lymfit intervention (a 12-week individualized exercise program with bi-weekly kinesiologist support and an activity tracker) aimed to foster autonomous motivation toward physical activity. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of Lymfit. Young adults (N = 26; mean age of 32.1 years) with lymphoma who were newly diagnosed and those up to six months after completing treatment were recruited and randomly assigned one-to-one to either the intervention group (n = 13) or a wait-list control group (n = 13). All a priori feasibility benchmarks were met, confirming the feasibility of the study in terms of recruitment uptake, retention, questionnaire completion, intervention fidelity, missing data, Fitbit wear adherence, and control group design. The intervention acceptability assessment showed high ratings, with eight out of ten items receiving >80% high ratings. At post-intervention, an analysis of covariance models showed a clinically significant increase in self-reported physical activity levels, psychological need satisfaction, and exercise motivation in the intervention group compared to controls. Lymfit also led to meaningful changes in six quality-of-life domains in the intervention group, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social roles and activities, and pain interference. The findings support Lymfit as a promising means to meet psychological needs and increase the autonomous motivation for physical activity in this group. A fully powered efficacy trial is warranted to assess the validity of these findings.