NeoplasmsNCT02341846
Exploring New Technologies to Manage Cancer Pain in the Community
An observational study of Neoplasms and Pain, run by University of Aberdeen.
Trial summary
This interview and focus group study will explore patient, caregiver, and health professional opinions about the potential roles of digital technology to support effective cancer pain management. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- What is being tested?
- Qualitative interviews
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Feb 2015to Aug 2015
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients with cancer pain, their caregivers, and health care professionals.
Who may be able to join
- Patients
- Adults, 18 years of age or over.
- Established diagnosis of any cancer type.
- Have experienced pain related to cancer or its treatment requiring any form of analgesic within the last three months.
- Patients with all stages and grades of cancer who feel that they are willing and able to participate in an interview.
- Caregivers • Caregivers aged 18 years of age or over who are or have been involved in providing care or assistance for somebody who has experienced cancer pain. Examples of caregivers might include family members, spouse, and close friends, who provide care and assistance to patients with cancer pain.
- Professionals
- Registered doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who provide care for people with cancer pain.
Who cannot join
- • Non- English language speakers. Qualitative investigations will be reliant on communication in English. Specific words and phrases will be analysed by English speaking researchers in order to identify thematic content. This study does not include resources for interpreting services.
- Patients who are thought to have entered the terminal stages of their illness will be excluded. This will be judged at recruitment by the screening clinician from the patient's general practice. In the case that a recruited patient has become too ill to participate in the research or has died before participation, and a linked caregiver has expressed interest in the study, the caregiver will be contacted, offered sympathies, and will be given the opportunity to withdraw from the study or continue as planned. All conversations about the study will be conducted in a supportive manner that recognises the sensitivity of the subject matter.
- Patients who are registered at Great Western Medical Practice, Aberdeen (Rosalind Adam, researcher and interviewer practices as a doctor there).
- Any participant who declines to take part.
About this study
Official title: Exploring the Desirability, Feasibility and Practicalities of Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Improve Cancer Pain Management in the Community
This interview and focus group study will explore patient, caregiver, and health professional opinions about the potential roles of digital technology to support effective cancer pain management. The views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this study will be used to design and develop a digital intervention which is likely to take the form of a measurement (pain and analgesic use) guided medication management intervention to improve cancer pain management in the community.
Read the detailed description
Cancer is increasing in incidence and prevalence in the United Kingdom. Pain is the most frequent complication of cancer and cancer pain control is frequently suboptimal. Previous research has established several potentially modifiable reasons for suboptimal cancer pain management. These include: under-reporting of pain; inadequate communication about pain between patients and health care professionals ; inadequate assessment of pain by health care providers; inadequate analgesic prescribing; suboptimal adherence to prescribed analgesic regimens by patients; and failure to re-assess pain timeously.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is a term used to describe all digital technologies that facilitate the electronic capture, processing, storage, and exchange of information. ICT could offer innovative solutions to suboptimal cancer pain management. Technological solutions might include electronic diaries, available as applications or "apps", which could encourage pain self-monitoring by people with cancer, and prompt medical assessment when pain is poorly controlled. Accurate patient reported pain data could help professionals to adequately assess pain and might influence the patient-professional consultation. Feedback of adherence data to patients and carers might improve the way that medications are used. Electronic medication adherence devices are currently available which can capture data on analgesic utilisation and timing. This data might be useful for health care professionals to inform safe and timely adjustments of analgesic doses (i.e. is pain control poor because of inadequate analgesic dose or because of non-adherence to the prescribed regime?). The aim of the proposed study is to explore the desirability, feasibility, and practicalities of using ICT to improve cancer pain management The proposed study would seek the views of patients with cancer pain, their caregivers, and health care professionals, about using technology to help with cancer pain management. The study will investigate the acceptability of electronic pain diaries and electronic medication adherence devices to patients and health care professionals, barriers to using such technology, and how data generated from technology might be used by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to improve cancer pain management. This study will form part of a programme of research and data from the proposed study will be used to inform the potential development of a technological intervention to improve the management of cancer pain in the community.
- Being tested
- Qualitative interviews
- Keywords
- cancer pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms, Pain, Cancer Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Qualitative interviewsOther
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients with cancer pain | Qualitative semi-structured interviews with patients who have experienced cancer pain Receives: Other: Qualitative interviews | |
| Caregivers for those with cancer pain | Qualitative semi-structured interviews with caregivers who have cared for those who have experienced cancer pain. Receives: Other: Qualitative interviews | |
| Healthcare professionals | Healthcare professionals whose role involves the management of cancer pain. Receives: Other: Qualitative interviews |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Qualitative semi-structured interviews
Measured: Eight months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Jan 2015 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2015
- Primary completionAug 2015
- Study completionAug 2015
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for NeoplasmsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Aberdeen
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02341846
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2/069/14
- Status last verified
- Nov 2015
- First submitted
- 14 Jan 2015
- Last updated
- 21 Jan 2016
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Publications
Adam R, Bond CM, Burton CD, de Bruin M, Murchie P. Can-Pain-a digital intervention to optimise cancer pain control in the community: development and feasibility testing. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Feb;29(2):759-769. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05510-0. Epub 2020 May 28.
PubMed 32468132
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Jan 2016. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exploring the Desirability, Feasibility and Practicalities of Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Improve Cancer Pain Management in the Community
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02341846
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2/069/14
- Keywords
- cancer pain
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of AberdeenUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government
- Study start
- Feb 2015
- Primary completion
- Aug 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Jan 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This interview and focus group study will explore patient, caregiver, and health professional opinions about the potential roles of digital technology to support effective cancer pain management. The views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this study will be used to design and develop a digital intervention which is likely to take the form of a measurement (pain and analgesic use) guided medication management intervention to improve cancer pain management in the community.
Detailed description
Cancer is increasing in incidence and prevalence in the United Kingdom. Pain is the most frequent complication of cancer and cancer pain control is frequently suboptimal. Previous research has established several potentially modifiable reasons for suboptimal cancer pain management. These include: under-reporting of pain; inadequate communication about pain between patients and health care professionals ; inadequate assessment of pain by health care providers; inadequate analgesic prescribing; suboptimal adherence to prescribed analgesic regimens by patients; and failure to re-assess pain timeously.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is a term used to describe all digital technologies that facilitate the electronic capture, processing, storage, and exchange of information. ICT could offer innovative solutions to suboptimal cancer pain management. Technological solutions might include electronic diaries, available as applications or "apps", which could encourage pain self-monitoring by people with cancer, and prompt medical assessment when pain is poorly controlled. Accurate patient reported pain data could help professionals to adequately assess pain and might influence the patient-professional consultation. Feedback of adherence data to patients and carers might improve the way that medications are used. Electronic medication adherence devices are currently available which can capture data on analgesic utilisation and timing. This data might be useful for health care professionals to inform safe and timely adjustments of analgesic doses (i.e. is pain control poor because of inadequate analgesic dose or because of non-adherence to the prescribed regime?). The aim of the proposed study is to explore the desirability, feasibility, and practicalities of using ICT to improve cancer pain management The proposed study would seek the views of patients with cancer pain, their caregivers, and health care professionals, about using technology to help with cancer pain management. The study will investigate the acceptability of electronic pain diaries and electronic medication adherence devices to patients and health care professionals, barriers to using such technology, and how data generated from technology might be used by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to improve cancer pain management. This study will form part of a programme of research and data from the proposed study will be used to inform the potential development of a technological intervention to improve the management of cancer pain in the community.
Study design
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients with cancer pain | – | Other: Qualitative interviewsQualitative semi-structured interviews with patients who have experienced cancer pain |
| Caregivers for those with cancer pain | – | Other: Qualitative interviewsQualitative semi-structured interviews with caregivers who have cared for those who have experienced cancer pain. |
| Healthcare professionals | – | Other: Qualitative interviewsHealthcare professionals whose role involves the management of cancer pain. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients with cancer pain, their caregivers, and health care professionals.
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Patients
- Caregivers • Caregivers aged 18 years of age or over who are or have been involved in providing care or assistance for somebody who has experienced cancer pain. Examples of caregivers might include family members, spouse, and close friends, who provide care and assistance to patients with cancer pain.
- Professionals
- Registered doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who provide care for people with cancer pain.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- • Non- English language speakers. Qualitative investigations will be reliant on communication in English. Specific words and phrases will be analysed by English speaking researchers in order to identify thematic content. This study does not include resources for interpreting services.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative interviews | Other | Caregivers for those with cancer pain, Healthcare professionals, Patients with cancer pain |
Primary outcome
Qualitative semi-structured interviews
Time frame: Eight months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Jan 2016.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 32468132Adam R, Bond CM, Burton CD, de Bruin M, Murchie P. Can-Pain-a digital intervention to optimise cancer pain control in the community: development and feasibility testing. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Feb;29(2):759-769. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05510-0. Epub 2020 May 28.
Related trials for Neoplasms
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Hepatic Artery Infusion of Carfilzomib in Participants With Liver Metastatic Disease Previously Treated With Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy
Colorectal Neoplasms, Neoplasms
RecruitingPhase 2
Tafasitamab With Acalabrutinib and Venetoclax for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Active, not recruitingPhase 1/2
Selumetinib in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Low Grade Glioma
Low Grade Glioma, Recurrent Childhood Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
A Single-Arm Study of Nimotuzumab Combined With NALIRIFOX as First-Line Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Metastatic
Recruiting
Methylation Profiling in Self-Samples for Identification of (Epi)Genetic Biomarkers for Gynecological Cancers
Gynaecological Cancers, Ovarian Cancer
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Neoplasms and Pain, run by University of Aberdeen.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Jan 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Qualitative semi-structured interviews (time frame: Eight months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02341846, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Jan 2016.