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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00960466

Distress Thermometer Intervention Trial

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been shown to lead to very high levels of distress among patients. Although treatments for a range of different cancers have become much better in recent years, the distress that accompanies diagnosis and treatment can have serious negative effects for patients. Research has shown that, for a number of reasons, patients find it difficult to inform healthcare professionals about the cause of their distress whether it is physical (e.g. pain), psychological (anxiety and depression), personal partners and family) or social (finances). Also, medical staff often fail to detect even high levels of distress. This means that a great deal of distress is not being treated and this may lead to more hospital and GP visits, and dissatisfaction with care. The Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL) is a simple method of identifying distress in cancer patients using the familiar image of a thermometer. It offers patients a list of common treatment-related difficulties to help them identify any problems that cause distress. A trained staff member uses the DT&PL to discuss with the patient different options for addressing each concern: directly where possible (action taken by the patient or the staff member present) or leading to a referral to a specialist where necessary. Our research aims to measure whether the DT&PL is effective in quickly identifying and treating cancer-related distress and therefore preventing longer-term problems developing. The investigators also want to know whether patients find it helpful to complete the DT&PL and whether using the DT&PL saves NHS time and money.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Neoplasms Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Royal United Hospital, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom

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About this study

BACKGROUND: Systematic psychological assessment and appropriate psychological support is a key aim of NICE guidance for supportive and palliative cancer care. Cancer causes high levels of distress during diagnosis, treatment and beyond. 'Distress' is a psychological state that may be fuelled by physical (e.g. pain), interpersonal (family tensions), psychological (anxiety and depression), social (finances), and existential concerns. Often these concerns are not expressed by patients or identified by healthcare staff. Our pilot work suggests that the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL) is a tool that healthcare staff can use to efficiently identify and address these holistic needs. Use of the DT&PL could reduce both patient distress and the NHS costs of treating the sequelae of distress.

AIMS: To demonstrate the feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 3 cancer therapy units and to provide data for the design of a future trial in larger numbers of radiotherapy and chemotherapy units. To compare use of the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL) with usual care and document differences in patients' psychological well-being and health-related quality of life. To assess the cost-effectiveness to the NHS and society of using the DT&PL in routine clinical practice. To assess patient and staff attitudes to completing the DT&PL and identify any perceived gaps in local psychosocial supportive services.

METHODS: A RCT to compare usual psychosocial care with usual care plus DT&PL administered by trained radiographers and nurses for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The DT&PL will be used during and at the end of chemo/radiotherapy. Baseline questionnaires include Profile of Mood States (POMS - primary outcome), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) cancer-related quality of life measure and EQ-5D utility score. Qualitative interviews will explore patient, carer and staff views on the DT&PL and other aspects of supportive care. Patient follow up will occur at 1, 6 and 12 months to determine whether the intervention improves psychological well-being and health related quality of life and the impact on NHS and broader societal costs.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Primary solid tumour diagnosis within the last 12 months
  • Scheduled for outpatient external RT fractions over a period of at least 2 weeks or scheduled outpatient CT regimen over 2 or more cycles
  • Patient aged >= 18 and <85 years
  • Ability to read and communicate in English (personally or via translator)

Exclusion criteria

  • Receiving neoadjuvant CT
  • Patient declines consent
  • Clinical presentation dictates treatment by a specific therapist not trained in use of the Distress Thermometer

Treatment and study plan

Distress Thermometer and Problems List

Behavioral

When using the distress thermometer and problem list (DT&PL), the nurse or radiographer asks the patient to indicate distress over the past week on a visual analogue scale from 0 (no distress) to 10 (high distress). Next, from a list of 42 items, patients identify practical, family, emotional, spiritual or physical problems that have caused distress. The completion of the DT&PL should be a collaborative exercise with patients able to review what is written on the assessment sheet. Potential solutions will be discussed which may involve the following: i) concerns that can be resolved immediately (e.g. providing information, prescribing an analgesic); ii) concerns that require patient actions (e.g. participating in support groups); iii) concerns that require a referral (e.g. mental health specialist, social or pastoral care). The meeting will end with a summary plan of action.

Usual psychosocial support

Behavioral

If patients express concerns about psychosocial issues, then clinic staff will discuss these issues, offer advice or make a referral as they see fit. However, no formal time will be set aside to monitor patient distress using the DT, elicit problems using the PL or develop a plan of action based on these tools. Because of the nature of the intervention, both the patient and the therapist will be aware of treatment assignment.

Primary outcomes

  1. Profile of Mood States (POMS)

    Time frame: 1, 6, 12 months post randomisation

Secondary outcomes

  1. EQ-5D

    Time frame: 1,6,12 months post randomisation

  2. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC - QLQ 30) cancer-related quality of life measure

    Time frame: 1,6, 12 months post randomisation

  3. Trent Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire

    Time frame: 1, 6 months post randomisation

  4. Resource Use

    Time frame: 12 months post randomisation

  5. Mortality

    Time frame: 12 months post randomisation

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Other

Collaborators

  • Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
  • University of Bristol

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluating the Effect of Monitoring Cancer Patients Using the Distress Thermometer on Levels of Distress and Health Service Costs - a Randomised Controlled Trial

Acronym: DiTIT

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Aug 17, 2009
Registry last updated
Apr 2, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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