Theory-based dyadic co-learning intervention to enhance family resilience in men with prostate cancer and their spouses in Taiwan: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer often disrupt patients' and their spouses' established family lives, requiring them to reestablish a sense of balance. This study aims to develop and evaluate a dyadic co-learning intervention derived from the activation-reinforcement-adjustment theory of family resilience for patients with prostate cancer and their spouses. An experimental study design was employed. Prostate cancer patients and their spouses (n=60 pairs) will be recruited from the outpatient department. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group (1:1). The intervention group receives an 8 week dyadic co-learning intervention and usual care, whereas the control group receives usual care. All participants complete follow-up assessments at 10 weeks and 16 weeks after the pretest. Structured questionnaires included the Resilience Scale, the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire, the Loneliness Scale, the Chinese Happiness Inventory, the Brief Fatigue Inventory and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite. Statistical analyses include independent-samples <i>t</i> tests, χ² tests and mixed linear models. This study protocol was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board (No. 202 202 198B0). The study findings will be disseminated through international conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07196488 (First Submitted 2025-09-06).