Reimagine: a randomized controlled trial of an online, symptom self-management curriculum among breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Chronic pain, depression, and fatigue are common effects resulting from the cancer experience; new interventions are needed. This study examined the effect of Reimagine, an online symptom self-management curriculum that teaches coping skills, on key outcomes. METHODS: Adult breast cancer survivors with chronic pain were recruited from the Army of Women volunteer registry for this randomized controlled trial and randomized 1:1 to Reimagine or usual care conditions. Electronic surveys collected demographic, clinical, and outcome data at baseline and 18 weeks post-intervention. RESULTS: Participants (N = 89) were mean age 56.7 ± 8.7 years; 67% married; 58% employed; mean years since diagnosis 8.2 ± 6.6; and 89% were in remission or cured of their breast cancer. There was a significant difference in the change in depression scores for treatment (M = - 1.7, SD = 4.5) and usual care (M = 0.3, SD = 3.8) conditions; t(85) = - 2.3, p = .03. Difference in the change in fatigue scores was significant for treatment (M = 4.8, SD = 9.0) and usual care (M = 1.2, SD = 6.6) conditions; t(87) = 2.2, p = .03. Most Reimagine users (94%) would recommend the curriculum to others. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Reimagine has an effect on depression and fatigue symptoms for breast cancer survivors. Online programs can be a feasible and effective alternative to in-person support. Additional research is recommended with larger and more diverse samples.

Amplification with molecular beacon primers and reverse line blotting for the detection and typing of human papillomaviruses.

A novel method for the detection and typing of human papillomavirus (HPV) was developed using molecular beacon primers. The method is based on the use of HPV-specific primers containing a hairpin loop structure in which fluorescent donor and quencher groups are held in close proximity such that fluorescence is quenched. Amplification of the target sequence results in the opening of the loop and the resulting fluorescence can be detected on a sequence detector system (SDS) 7700 (Applied Biosystems), as used for TaqMan assays. Fluorescent amplicons were identified on the SDS 7700 and then typed by a single hybridisation with specific probes immobilised in lines on a nylon membrane and detected on a fluorescent scanner. This novel beacon primer method compared well with conventional PCR for cervical scrape specimens. The combination of the beacon primer method and reverse line blotting should enable large-scale population studies of HPV infection.