Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Road testing the Be Well Plan to co-design a sustainable mental health intervention for people with multiple myeloma and smouldering myeloma  (125853)

Natalie Tuckey 1 2 , Hannah R Wardill 1 2 , Matthew Iasiello 2 3 , Joep van Agteren 3 4 , Daniel Fassnacht 5 , Melissa Cantley 6 7 , Hayley Beer 8 , Imogen Ramsey 9 , Rayan Saleh Moussa 10 , Luke Grundy 11 , Laura Edney 11 , Ecushla Linedale 4 12 , Kathina Ali 5
  1. Supportive Oncology Research Group, Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, SAHMRI, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences,, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Be Well Co, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. School of Public Health. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  5. School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  6. Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, SAHMRI, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  7. Myeloma Research Laboratory, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, SAHMRI, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  8. Myeloma Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  9. Caring Futures Flinders Health and Medical Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  10. Research Institute for Innovative Solutions for Wellbeing and Health (INSIGHT), Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  11. Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  12. Women’s and Kids, SAHMRI, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Introduction: Individuals with the incurable blood cancer multiple myeloma experience a significant psychosocial burden including heightened anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. This is due to the anticipation of relapse, physical symptoms, and associated treatment burden.  Despite the positive impact mental wellbeing support can have on distress, coping, and quality of life, targeted mental health interventions are lacking. 

Objective: This pilot mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the Be Well Plan, an online evidence-based mental health and wellbeing program, to inform a co-designed and adapted version  for people living with multiple myeloma and the precursor condition, smouldering myeloma.

Methodology:  A total of eighteen people participated in the study with multiple myeloma (n=14) and smouldering myeloma (n=4), aged between 38–72 years. The primary outcome measure was mental wellbeing, secondary measures included  wellbeing self-efficacy, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis of variance and effect sizes were calculated on pre- and post-psychological measures, followed by qualitative analysis to assess the acceptability.   

Results:  Large effect sizes in wellbeing self-efficacy were reported (F1,30 = 7.181, p = 0.012, ηp² = 0.193) post intervention. Mental wellbeing, while underpowered to find significance, demonstrated a medium to large effect size (F 1,30 = 3.630, p = 0.066, ηp² = 0.108). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were not statistically significant. Qualitative thematic analysis of post-program feedback revealed three key themes to guide future program development:  Building connection, coping, and confidence; Myeloma contextualisation; and Navigating implementation.

Conclusions:  This study provides early evidence of the intervention’s effectiveness and acceptability among people  with multiple myeloma and smouldering myeloma. These insights will guide the adaptation of the program ensuring  it is patient-centred and designed for optimal efficacy and sustainability.