Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jan 21, 2026
Date Accepted: Jul 15, 2026
Protocol for a Feasibility Study of online Shared Reading in Gynaecological Cancer Survivors: A Multiple-Baseline Single-Case Design
ABSTRACT
Background:
Gynaecological cancers pose significant physical, psychological and social challenges for those affected. Traditional psychological interventions, while beneficial, often demand significant time, specialised practitioner expertise, and may be limited by healthcare system wait times and accessibility issues.
Objective:
This n-of-1 experimental design aims to evaluate the feasibility of a literature-based, online Shared Reading (oSR) intervention, as a novel adjunctive support for those affected by gynaecological cancers. The study also seeks to explore preliminary individual-level outcomes of oSR on psychological distress, wellbeing, and quality of life, to offer an accessible, engaging, and potentially less resource-intensive alternative to conventional psychological support.
Methods:
This is a one-phase non-randomised international feasibility study utilising a multiple-baseline mixed-methods design grounded in Realist Evaluation principles. Up to 10 women and gender-diverse people assumed or presumed female at birth, aged 18 and over, with a primary diagnosis of gynaecological cancer, will be recruited to receive a 6-week oSR intervention.
Results:
Utilising both quantitative and qualitative approaches, findings will assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Recruitment and retention rates, participant engagement, and feedback will be analysed to refine the intervention for future research.
Conclusions:
Potential implications include that this digital, low-intensity, group-based oSR format may offer a novel mechanism to reach gynaecological cancer survivors who may be otherwise excluded (i.e., those living in geographically remote areas, facing financial constraints, or who are unable or reluctant to engage with formal psychotherapy). In doing so, the intervention may help address persistent inequalities in access to psychosocial support within cancer care and inform the design of future implementation studies in routine digital oncology services.
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Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.