Partner Assistance in Learning and Performing Skin Self-Examination

This study is a behavioral science study designed to identify aspects of the dyadic relationship that promote Skin Self-Examination (SSE) in patients at high risk of developing melanoma. The patient is randomized to receive the educational intervention either as a solo learner or with the partner.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Melanoma Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue Neuroectodermal Tumors Neuroendocrine Tumors Nevi and Melanomas Skin Diseases Skin Neoplasms Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Personal or family history of melanoma. If a personal history of melanoma, the patient was treated at least 1 month ago
Evidence of dysplastic nevus syndrome or a large number of moles (Greater than 50)
Able to see to read a newspaper, can read at an eighth grade level
Speaks English
18 to 70 years old with a spouse or cohabitating partner

Exclusion criteria

Under 18 years of age
Patient overburden by other co-morbid diseases such as chronic immunosuppression from organ transplantation
Have insufficient vision to to read a newspaper
Unable to read English
Have insufficient cognitive skills to follow instructions provided at an eighth grade language level

Treatment and study plan

Skin Self Examination Information and ABCDE Rule

Behavioral

Card with condensed information about skin self examination (SSE) and color illustrations of the ABCDE (asymmetry of shape, border irregularity, color variation, diameter > or equal to 6 mm, and evolution of the lesion) rule. A research assistant gave a skill demonstration using a magnifying lens.

Primary outcomes

Mean Number of Skin Examinations Without Partner Over 4 Months

Time frame: 4 months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants examined their skin in the last 4 months.
Mean Number of Skin Examinations With Partner Over 4 Months

Time frame: 4 months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants examined their skin with a partner in the last 4 months.
Mean Number of Times Reviewed Skin Self Examination Guidelines Over 4 Months

Time frame: 4 months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants reviewed skin self examination guidelines in the last 4 months.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Collaborators

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Loyola University

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2003
Primary completion: 2010
Study completion: 2010
First posted: Nov 16, 2009
Registry last updated: Oct 2, 2014

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed