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Persistent Physical SymptomseASYNCT06163014

My Symptoms: an eHealth and GP Assisted Programme for Persistent Symptoms in Primary Care

An observational study of Persistent Physical Symptoms, run by Aarhus University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The project 'My Symptoms' is part of a large research programme: eHealth and GP-assisted self-help interventions for persistent physical symptoms (eASY). See www.mine-symptomer.dk. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Persistent Physical Symptoms
What is being tested?
My Symptoms eHealth programme
How many people
120 participants
Where
1 siteDenmark
Study dates
1 Dec 2023to Dec 2026
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Only patients who consult their GP will be eligible for participation. Patients will need a referral from their GP to be able to access the 'My Symptoms' programme using a specific code. All patients who consent to participate and login to the programme will be included in the present study. The GP will assess whether prescription of the 'My Symptoms' programme is relevant. As a guide for this assessment, the GP will be provided with the inclusion and exclusion criteria during their training programme.

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18-65 (target population for the programme)
  • The consultation targets symptom complaints
  • Listed with participating practice.

Who cannot join

  • Symptoms are acute (not persistent) and there is no need for this intervention
  • Symptoms must primarily be treated by medicine or surgery
  • Patient severely affected by other disease
  • Not eligible due to language or cognitive problems

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Marianne Rosendal, PhD contact

+4521476826

marose@rm.dk

Lisbeth Frostholm, PhD contact

lisfro@rm.dk

Denmark1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Aarhus University Hospital

    Aarhus

    Marianne Rosendal, MD, PhD, 004520411619, marose@rm.dk

    Recruiting

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: My Symptoms: a Before-After Evaluation of an eHealth and GP Assisted Programme for Persistent Symptoms in Primary Care (eASY)

The project 'My Symptoms' is part of a large research programme: eHealth and GP-assisted self-help interventions for persistent physical symptoms (eASY). See www.mine-symptomer.dk.

The research programme is an ambitious and dedicated effort aiming at improvement of functioning and quality of life for individuals with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and prevention of the development of chronic functional disorders and associated loss of working capacity and high use of health care. At present, access to specialized treatment of PPS is very limited and treatment capacity in general practice is restricted to brief consultations - often with poor opportunity to make a treatment plan for symptoms. As part of the research programme, the investigators have developed a web-based self-help programme for patient with PPS. This treatment programme is prescribed by the patient's general practitioner (GP). Only GPs who have participated in a short introduction course will be allowed for prescriptions.

Read more

The investigators have applied a high degree of user involvement (GPs and patients) in the development process but there is a need to evaluate how the new treatment programme is in fact adopted by GPs and patients.

With this study, the investigators wish to follow the national implementation using a before-after study design describing uptake and effects on GPs, patients and the health care system.

Read the detailed description

The project aims to evaluate the uptake and effects of the new self-help programme for PPS, the My Symptoms programme, prescribed and followed up by GPs.

Specific objectives are to:

  1. Describe the use of the programme during routine care. This includes
  2. Determination of the number of patients per GP who access the programme after prescription from their GPs (adoption)
  3. A description of how often the follow-up consultation is completed according to the patients.
  4. Explore patient characteristics (appropriateness)
  5. Describe patients' engagement with the programme with regard to time and frequency of access to modules and tools (fidelity)
  6. Evaluate effects on patients' health, quality of life, functioning and satisfaction with care
  7. Estimate effects on patients' use of health care services
  8. Estimate effects on patients' work productivity
  9. Estimate possible effects on health care costs provided the intervention is fully disseminated nationally.
Being tested
My Symptoms eHealth programme

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • My Symptoms eHealth programmeBehavioural

    My Symptoms supports patients' self-efficacy and behavioural changes. The programme is activated by the patient after prescription by the GP. The patient is free to choose relevant tasks corresponding to wishes, needs/requirements and own perspectives.

    Summary of content:

    1. Symptom explanations and facts about frequent symptoms including brief animated explanations
    2. Physical energy (sleep, diet and activity)
    3. Working with resources and strain in everyday life
    4. Values and choices (meaning and existential issues)
    5. Thoughts
    6. Feelings (emotion regulation)
    7. Self-care (attention incl. mindfulness and audio exercises)
    8. Preparation for a follow-up visit with the GP and relapse prevention. The above modules connect to four general tools: symptom registration, 'don't break the chain', goal setting staircase and notebook.

    After 6 weeks: Voluntary GP follow-up consultation. After 8 weeks: End-of-treatment.

Study groups in NCT06163014
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PatientsPatients with persistent physical symptoms consulting their GP and referred to the My Symptoms eHealth programme.
Receives: Behavioral: My Symptoms eHealth programme

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in symptom intensity

    Symptom intensity measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  2. Change in symptom interference

    Symptom interference measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

Secondary outcomes (48)
  1. Change in symptom intensity

    Symptom intensity measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  2. Change in symptom interference

    Symptom interference measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  3. Change in symptom burden

    Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) Checklist measuring symptom burden (0-100)

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  4. Change in symptom burden

    Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) Checklist measuring symptom burden (0-100)

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  5. Bodily Distress Syndrome

    Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) Checklist measuring BDS (0/1)

    Measured: Baseline

  6. Bodily Distress Syndrome

    Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) Checklist measuring BDS (0/1)

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  7. Bodily Distress Syndrome

    Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) Checklist measuring BDS (0/1)

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  8. Change in illness perception

    Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Sum score (min 0; max 70). Lower scores indicate more positive illness perceptions.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  9. Change in illness perception

    Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Sum score (min 0; max 70). Lower scores indicate more positive illness perceptions.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  10. Change in illness worry

    The revised version of the six-item Whiteley Index (WI-6-R). Sum score (min 0; max 24). Higher scores indicate higher illness worry.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  11. Change in illness worry

    The revised version of the six-item Whiteley Index (WI-6-R). Sum score (min 0; max 24). Higher scores indicate higher illness worry.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  12. Anxiety

    Symptom Checklist Anxiety (SCL-ANX4). Sum score (min 0; max 16). Higher scores indicate higher impairment.

    Measured: Baseline

  13. Anxiety

    Symptom Checklist Anxiety (SCL-ANX4). Sum score (min 0; max 16). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by anxiety.

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  14. Anxiety

    Symptom Checklist Anxiety (SCL-ANX4). Sum score (min 0; max 16). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by anxiety.

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  15. Depression

    Symptom Checklist Depression (SCL-DEP6). Sum score (min 0; max 24). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by depression.

    Measured: Baseline

  16. Depression

    Symptom Checklist Depression (SCL-DEP6). Sum score (min 0; max 24). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by depression.

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  17. Depression

    Symptom Checklist Depression (SCL-DEP6). Sum score (min 0; max 24). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by depression.

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  18. Distress

    Symptom Checklist Distress (SCL-Distress8). Sum score (min 0; max 32). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by distress.

    Measured: Baseline

  19. Distress

    Symptom Checklist Distress (SCL-Distress8). Sum score (min 0; max 32). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by distress.

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  20. Distress

    Symptom Checklist Distress (SCL-Distress8). Sum score (min 0; max 32). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by distress.

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  21. Change of hope

    One item from the Symptom Checklist (SCL)-90. Response categories ranging from 'not at all' (0) to 'very much' (4) (min 0; max 4). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by hopelessness.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  22. Change of hope

    One item from the Symptom Checklist (SCL)-90. Response categories ranging from 'not at all' (0) to 'very much' (4) (min 0; max 4). Higher scores indicate higher impairment by hopelessness.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  23. Change in stress

    Perceived Stress Scale 10-item version (PSS-10). Sum score (min 0; max 40). Higher scores indicate higher stress levels.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  24. Change in stress

    Perceived Stress Scale 10-item version (PSS-10). Sum score (min 0; max 40). Higher scores indicate higher stress levels.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  25. Change in limiting behaviour

    Behaviour Related to Illness Questionnaire (BRIQ), subscale. Sum score (min 0; max 24). Lower scores indicate a more adaptive symptom behaviour.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  26. Change in limiting behaviour

    Behaviour Related to Illness Questionnaire (BRIQ), subscale. Sum score (min 0; max 24). Lower scores indicate a more adaptive symptom behaviour.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  27. Change in all or nothing behaviour

    Behaviour Related to Illness Questionnaire (BRIQ), subscale. Sum score (min 0; max 28). Lower scores indicate a more adaptive symptom behaviour.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  28. Change in all or nothing behaviour

    Behaviour Related to Illness Questionnaire (BRIQ), subscale. Sum score (min 0; max 28). Lower scores indicate a more adaptive symptom behaviour.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  29. Change in confidence in performing activities in the context of PPS

    Adapted version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Sum score (min 0; max 60). Higher scores indicate better self-efficacy.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  30. Change in confidence in performing activities in the context of PPS

    Adapted version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Sum score (min 0; max 60). Higher scores indicate better self-efficacy.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  31. Change in health-related quality of life

    36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (subscales and the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores). PCS and MCS will be transformed into scales ranging from 0 to 100 by the following expression: (patient raw score-lowest possible score)/(highest possible score-lowest possible score)×100. Higher scores express better health.

    Measured: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)

  32. Change in health-related quality of life

    36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (subscales and the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores). PCS and MCS will be transformed into scales ranging from 0 to 100 by the following expression: (patient raw score-lowest possible score)/(highest possible score-lowest possible score)×100. Higher scores express better health.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months after end of treatment

  33. Health-related quality of life

    The EuroQoL 5-domain 5-level (EQ-5D-5L). EQ-5D-5L health states will be summarised by a single summary number (index value), which reflects how good or bad the health state is according to the preferences of the general population. Index values will be derived according to the EuroQol Research Foundation manual for EQ-5D-5L.

    Measured: Baseline

  34. Health-related quality of life

    The EuroQoL 5-domain 5-level (EQ-5D-5L). EQ-5D-5L health states will be summarised by a single summary number (index value), which reflects how good or bad the health state is according to the preferences of the general population. Index values will be derived according to the EuroQol Research Foundation manual for EQ-5D-5L.

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  35. Health-related quality of life

    The EuroQoL 5-domain 5-level (EQ-5D-5L). EQ-5D-5L health states will be summarised by a single summary number (index value), which reflects how good or bad the health state is according to the preferences of the general population. Index values will be derived according to the EuroQol Research Foundation manual for EQ-5D-5L.

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  36. Credibility related to the eHealth programme

    One item measuring credibility. A scale ranging from 'not meaningful at all' (1) to 'highly meaningful' (10) is provided.

    Measured: Baseline

  37. Expectancy related to the eHealth programme

    One item measuring expectancy. A scale ranging from 'not efficient at all' (1) to 'highly efficient' (10) is provided.

    Measured: Baseline

  38. Evaluation of the referral consultation

    Questionnaire comprising 6 items. The items are scored on a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from 'bad' (1) to 'excellent' (5).

    Measured: Baseline

  39. Evaluation of the eHealth programme

    Questionnaire comprising 12 items. The items are scored on a five-point Likert-type scale representing the extent to which the patient find the programme easy to use or has experienced benefit. The scale ranges from 'not at all' (0) to 'to a very great extent' (4).

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  40. Recommendation of the eHealth programme

    One item. The patient is asked to indicate whether he or she would recommend the treatment programme to a friend with similar problems. A VAS scale (0 ('not at all') - 10 ('highly recommend') is provided.

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  41. Evaluation of the follow up consultation

    One item measuring satisfaction. The item is scored on a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from 'bad' (1) to 'excellent' (5).

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  42. Self-rated global health change

    Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. One item scored on a five point Likert-type scale ranging from 'Much worse' (1) to 'Much better' health (5).

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  43. Self-rated global health change

    Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. One item scored on a five point Likert-type scale ranging from 'Much worse' (1) to 'Much better' health (5).

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  44. Adverse events

    Dichotomous outcome measure (0/1). Defined as a 50% worsening of symptoms as measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS) for symptom intensity

    Measured: End of treatment (week 8)

  45. Adverse events

    Dichotomous outcome measure (0/1). Defined as a 50% worsening of symptoms as measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS) for symptom intensity

    Measured: 3 months after end of treatment

  46. Quality-adjusted life year (QALY)

    QALY is a single reported value based on the change in patient's health-related quality of life measured with the EuroQoL 5-domain 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) and valued using Danish QALY-weights.

    Measured: 6 months after end of treatment

  47. Changes in health care use

    Estimation of effects on patients' changes in use of health care services using Danish registers from a before-vs-after approach

    Measured: 6 months before baseline compared to 6 months after end of treatment

  48. Changes in productivity costs

    Changes in productivity costs i.e., the change in lost production due to changes in sick leaves and absence from work

    Measured: 6 months before baseline compared to 6 months after end of treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Dec 2023
  2. Study start1 Dec 2023
  3. Primary completionSep 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
120 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06163014
Sponsor's protocol ID
1-10-72-222-22
Acronym
eASY
Status last verified
Feb 2025
First submitted
8 Jun 2023
Last updated
13 Feb 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Persistent Physical Symptoms, run by Aarhus University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

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 3 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Marianne Rosendal, PhD (+4521476826, marose@rm.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in symptom intensity (time frame: Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 13 Feb 2025.

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