Nurse Navigation Enhances Self-Efficacy During Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Published: August 13, 2026
ByLaura Litwin
In a recent study, investigators found that “dedicated nurse navigation significantly improved self-efficacy” as compared with standard care for patients receiving treatment for colorectal cancer. A team of researchers from Denmark conducted the study and published their findings in Supportive Care in Cancer
The investigators hypothesized that intervention by a nurse navigator during treatment would aid in “needs assessment, distress evaluation, and emotional support from diagnosis to follow-up” in this patient population
Eligibility criteria for participation included “a physician-verified suspicion of colorectal cancer following colonoscopy.” Patients who met the eligibility criteria were evaluated for participation in the study, and “those who fulfilled inclusion criteria and consented were randomized to either intervention (nurse navigation) or standard care during the following cancer treatment trajectory.”
Investigators measured self-efficacy through the short form of the Cancer Behavior Inventory questionnaire (CBI-B), which was administered to patients “at baseline before randomization and at treatment completion or within 1 year at the latest.”
“The group difference between CBI-B changes from baseline to follow-up was assessed in a population-averaged linear regression model employing generalized estimating equations,” they explained
A total of 271 patients were recruited for the study, and five “special educated nurse navigators delivered the intervention.” Of the patients who were recruited, 222 completed the study. The control group included 115 patients who received “standard care,” and the intervention group included 107 patients who received nurse navigation
The results revealed that “self-efficacy under standard care increased by a 20.6 score (CI – 0.84; 4.97) and by 6.98 (CI 3.99; 9.97) under intervention” during the course of 4,888 observations
“Estimated effect size was 4.92 (CI 0.75; 9.08), which was statistically significant (p= 0.021),” investigators highlighted
In reference to the additional healthcare contact, including needs assessment and continuity of care, provided by the intervention, the investigators wrote, “While some elements of this were present in standard care, particularly for patients who received a follow-up call from a nurse, our findings suggest that nurse navigation offered more comprehensive support.”
“The early establishment of a professional relationship during a period of heightened distress, proactive engagement before the first treatment, sustained continuity, and a focus on enhancing self-efficacy by addressing distressing issues may collectively explain the observed benefits,” they concluded
References
Thygesen MK, et al. Support Care Cancer. 2026;34(9):830. doi:10.1007/s00520-026-11035-9
