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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03840109

Emotional Support Messages Following a Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer patients will be randomly shown one of 18 emotional support messages created by the research team that differ based on how much of the message consists of positive statements and how much consists of negative statements. The messages with negative statements also differ based on whether the negative statements occur at the start or end of the message. After viewing the message, participants have the opportunity to rate the effectiveness of the message, to what extent the message made them feel better, and to what extent the message affects how they view the message provider as a useful source of emotional support.

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Key information

Conditions

Psychological Stress Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Mental Disorders Neoplasms Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be 18 years of age or older
  • Participants with a diagnosis of breast, prostate, thoracic or digestive cancer in the past 3 years
  • Participants consented to Moffitt's Total Cancer Care (TCC) protocol and indicating a willingness to be contacted for future research by including an email contact.
  • Ability to read and write fluently in English

Treatment and study plan

Questionnaire 1a

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the last 20% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 1b

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the first 20% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 2a

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the last 40% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 2b

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the first 40% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 3a

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the last 60% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 3b

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the first 60% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 4a

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the last 80% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Questionnaire 4b

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly shown two versions of messages in which the first 80% of the message consists of negative statements of criticism and rate of the effectiveness of the message.

Primary outcomes

  1. Message Effectiveness Scale

    Time frame: Through study completion, up to 1 year

    Perceptions of message effectiveness will be tested through 4 ANOVA models that will test for differences between participants who received different messages in terms of perceived message effectiveness.

  2. Affective Improvement Scale

    Time frame: Through study completion, up to 1 year

    Perceptions of message effectiveness will be tested through 4 ANOVA models that will test for differences between participants who received different messages in terms of self-reports of emotional improvement.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Supporter Competence Scale

    Time frame: Through study completion, up to 1 year

    Perceptions of message effectiveness will be tested through 4 ANOVA models that will test for differences between participants who received different messages in terms of perceptions of supporter competence.

  2. Likelihood of Seeking Support Scale

    Time frame: Through study completion, up to 1 year

    Perceptions of message effectiveness will be tested through 4 ANOVA models that will test for differences between participants who received different messages in terms of their likelihood to seek support from the supporter in the future.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Other

Collaborators

  • San Diego State University
  • University of Arizona
  • University of Minnesota

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2020
First posted
Feb 15, 2019
Registry last updated
Nov 25, 2020

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

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

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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