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Pozzar RA, Enzinger AC, Howard C, Tavormina A, Matulonis UA, Campos S, Liu JF, Horowitz N, Konstantinopoulos PA, Krasner C, Wall JA, Sciacca K, Meyer LA, Lindvall C, Wright AA. Feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led telehealth intervention (BOLSTER) to support patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and their caregivers: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Gynecol Oncol 2024; 188:1-7. [PMID: 38851039 PMCID: PMC11368606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with advanced gynecologic (GYN) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers frequently develop peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), which limits prognosis and diminishes health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Palliative procedures may improve PC symptoms, yet patients and caregivers report feeling unprepared to manage ostomies, catheters, and other complex needs. Our objectives were to (1) assess the feasibility of an efficacy trial of a nurse-led telehealth intervention (BOLSTER) for patients with PC and their caregivers; and (2) assess BOLSTER's acceptability, potential to improve patients' HRQoL and self-efficacy, and potential impact on advance care planning (ACP). METHODS Pilot feasibility RCT. Recently hospitalized adults with advanced GYN and GI cancers, PC, and a new complex care need and their caregivers were randomized 1:1 to BOLSTER or enhanced discharge planning (EDP). We defined feasibility as a ≥ 50% approach-to-consent ratio and acceptability as ≥70% satisfaction with BOLSTER. We assessed patients' HRQoL and self-efficacy at baseline and six weeks, then compared the proportion experiencing meaningful improvements by arm. ACP documentation was identified using natural language processing. RESULTS We consented 77% of approached patients. In the BOLSTER arm, 91.0% of patients and 100.0% of caregivers were satisfied. Compared to EDP, more patients receiving BOLSTER experienced improvements in HRQoL (68.4% vs. 40.0%) and self-efficacy for managing symptoms (78.9% vs. 35.0%) and treatment (52.9% vs. 42.9%). The BOLSTER arm had more ACP documentation. CONCLUSIONS BOLSTER is a feasible and acceptable intervention with the potential to improve patients' HRQoL and promote ACP. An efficacy trial comparing BOLSTER to usual care is underway. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03367247; PI: Wright.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Pozzar
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Andrea C Enzinger
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Ursula A Matulonis
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Susana Campos
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joyce F Liu
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Neil Horowitz
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Carolyn Krasner
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jaclyn A Wall
- University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Kate Sciacca
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Larissa A Meyer
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Charlotta Lindvall
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexi A Wright
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Ding JL, Ritchie CS, Vranceanu AM, Mace RA. Palliative Care Interventions for Persons With Neurodegenerative Disease: A Scoping Review of Clinical Trial Study Design Features. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:939-950. [PMID: 38364178 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Within palliative care research, best practice guidelines to conduct scientifically rigorous clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases are underexplored. This patient population experiences unique challenges, including fluctuations in cognitive capacity, care partner (CP) and proxy involvement, and high adverse events (AEs), that necessitate special consideration when designing clinical trials. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe and identify clinical trial design features that have been documented in studies involving a neuropalliative intervention for persons with neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting features that have been adapted for this unique patient population. Design: We conducted a scoping review of clinical trials with a neuropalliative intervention for persons with neurodegenerative disease. We searched Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed (MEDLINE) databases for articles published in English between 1950 and 2023. Two reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data from the included articles. A third reviewer adjudicated instances of conflict. The data were analyzed using a thematic framework approach. Results: Of 1025 texts, 44 articles were included. Seven study design features were analyzed: (1) consent, (2) proxies and CPs, (3) recruitment strategies, (4) retention strategies, (5) choice of comparator, (6) AEs, and (7) internal validity. This scoping review found disparities in study design features around structured consent, proxies and CPs, comparators, and AEs. Conclusions: To date, neuropalliative care clinical trials have had varied study designs and the majority of research has focused on dementia. Research guideline development for high-quality neuropalliative care clinical trials is greatly needed across the range of neurodegenerative diseases. To increase the scientific rigor of clinical trials and neuropalliative care, we recommend a standardized capacity assessment for consent, defining conditions for the CP, proxy, and AEs, systematizing appropriate comparators, and outlining preemptive recruitment and retention strategies to address the broader unpredictable challenges of palliative care research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Ding
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- MD-PhD Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Christine S Ritchie
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ana-Maria Vranceanu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan A Mace
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Bertocchi E, Frigo F, Buonaccorso L, Venturelli F, Bassi MC, Tanzi S. Cancer cachexia: A scoping review on non-pharmacological interventions. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2024; 11:100438. [PMID: 38774537 PMCID: PMC11107192 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2024.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Cancer cachexia occurs in 30%-80% of patients, increasing morbidity and mortality and impacting the health-related quality of life also for caregivers. Pharmacological interventions have been studied but have shown inconsistent effects on patients' lives in terms of relative outcomes and poor adherence to pharmacological treatment. We provide an overview of the evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for cancer cachexia. Methods We conducted a scoping review based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-extension for scoping review (PRISMA-ScR). On September 21, 2022, plus an update on January 10, 2024, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Scopus for 2012-2024. We excluded pharmacological interventions defined as "any substance, inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic, that can produce functional modifications, through a chemical, physicochemical or physical action." Results The search retrieved 9308 articles, of which 17 were eligible. Non-pharmacological interventions included nutritional counseling, complementary therapies (acupuncture), rehabilitation, and psychoeducational/psychosocial support. The data showed small and heterogeneous samples and different disease localization and stages. Thirty-nine percent were multimodal interventions and aimed at patients, not families. The common primary outcomes were body weight and composition, biomarkers, quality of life, psychological suffering, and muscular strength. Only three studies focus on the patient-caregiver dyad. Conclusions Interventions on cancer cachexia should be multimodal and multiprofessional, proposed early, and aimed at quality of life outcomes. The caregiver's involvement is essential. Nurses can play an active role in managing cancer cachexia. More well-designed studies are needed to understand the efficacy and contents of non-pharmacological interventions. Systematic review registration The review protocol has been registered in the OSF registry (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/H4A29).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Frigo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Tanzi
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Dunleavy L, Preston N, Walshe C. Health care professional recruitment of patients and family carers to palliative care randomised controlled trials: A qualitative multiple case study. Palliat Med 2023; 37:1540-1553. [PMID: 37753865 PMCID: PMC10657513 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231197917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trial participant recruitment is an interactional process between health care professionals, patients and carers. Little is known about how clinicians carry out this role in palliative care trials and the reasons why they do or do not recruit participants. AIMS To explore how clinicians recruit to palliative care trials, why they choose to implement particular recruitment strategies, and the factors that influence their choices. DESIGN A qualitative multiple case study of three UK palliative care trials. Data collection included interviews and study documentation. Analysis involved developing and refining theoretical propositions, guided by the '6Ps' of the 'Social Marketing Mix Framework' as an a priori framework (identifying participants, product, price, place, promotion and working with partners). Framework Analysis guided within and then cross-case analysis. SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS Study investigators and research staff (n = 3, 9, 7) from trial coordinating centres and recruitment sites (hospice and hospital). RESULTS Cross-case analysis suggests the 'Social Marketing Mix Framework' is useful for understanding recruitment processes but wider contextual issues need to be incorporated. These include the 'emotional labour' of diagnosing dying and communicating palliative and end-of-life care to potential participants and how the recruitment process is influenced by the power relationships and hierarchies that exist among professional groups. These factors can lead to and support paternalistic practices. CONCLUSIONS Those planning trials need to ensure that trial recruiters, depending on their experience and trial characteristics, have access to training and support to address the 'emotional labour' of recruitment. The type of training required requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Dunleavy
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Nancy Preston
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Catherine Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
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Hohenschurz-Schmidt D, Vase L, Scott W, Annoni M, Ajayi OK, Barth J, Bennell K, Berna C, Bialosky J, Braithwaite F, Finnerup NB, Williams ACDC, Carlino E, Cerritelli F, Chaibi A, Cherkin D, Colloca L, Côté P, Darnall BD, Evans R, Fabre L, Faria V, French S, Gerger H, Häuser W, Hinman RS, Ho D, Janssens T, Jensen K, Johnston C, Juhl Lunde S, Keefe F, Kerns RD, Koechlin H, Kongsted A, Michener LA, Moerman DE, Musial F, Newell D, Nicholas M, Palermo TM, Palermo S, Peerdeman KJ, Pogatzki-Zahn EM, Puhl AA, Roberts L, Rossettini G, Tomczak Matthiesen S, Underwood M, Vaucher P, Vollert J, Wartolowska K, Weimer K, Werner CP, Rice ASC, Draper-Rodi J. Recommendations for the development, implementation, and reporting of control interventions in efficacy and mechanistic trials of physical, psychological, and self-management therapies: the CoPPS Statement. BMJ 2023; 381:e072108. [PMID: 37230508 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Hohenschurz-Schmidt
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Research Department, University College of Osteopathy, London, UK
| | - Lene Vase
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Whitney Scott
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London; INPUT Pain Management Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marco Annoni
- Italian National Research Council, Interdepartmental Centre for Research Ethics and Integrity, Rome, Italy
| | - Oluwafemi K Ajayi
- Department of Arts and Music, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jürgen Barth
- Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kim Bennell
- Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chantal Berna
- Centrer for Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Pain Center, Division of Anesthesiology, Sense Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joel Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville FL, USA; Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Nanna B Finnerup
- Danish Pain Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Amanda C de C Williams
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elisa Carlino
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Aleksander Chaibi
- Department for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dan Cherkin
- Osher Center for Integrative Health, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine; University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pierre Côté
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Beth D Darnall
- Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab; Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Roni Evans
- Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program; Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Laurent Fabre
- Centre Européen d'Enseignement Supérieur de l'Ostéopathie, Paris, France
| | - Vanda Faria
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Brain and Eye Pain Imaging Lab, Pain and Affective Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon French
- Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
| | - Heike Gerger
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Department of General Practice, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Winfried Häuser
- Department Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Rana S Hinman
- Centre for Health, Exercise & Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dien Ho
- Center for Health Humanities, School of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston MA, USA
| | - Thomas Janssens
- Health Psychology, KU Leuven; Ebpracticenet, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Jensen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chris Johnston
- BC Patient Safety & Quality Council's Patient Voices Network; Health Research BC's Partnership-Ready Network; Health Standards Organization's Emergency Management Technical Committee & Working Group
| | - Sigrid Juhl Lunde
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Francis Keefe
- Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Robert D Kerns
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Helen Koechlin
- Division of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University Children's Hospital Zurich; Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice Kongsted
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lori A Michener
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, USA
| | - Daniel E Moerman
- College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, Behavioral Sciences, University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI, USA
| | - Frauke Musial
- National Research Centre in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Science UiT, Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Michael Nicholas
- Pain Management Research Institute, University of Sydney Medical School (Northern) and Kolling Institute of Medical Research at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tonya M Palermo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara Palermo
- Diagnostic and Technology Department, Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Kaya J Peerdeman
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Esther M Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Lisa Roberts
- University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Giacomo Rossettini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Campus of Savona, Savona, Italy; School of Physiotherapy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Susan Tomczak Matthiesen
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Martin Underwood
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit; University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | - Paul Vaucher
- School of Health Sciences Fribourg, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Switzerland
| | - Jan Vollert
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK; Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany; Neurophysiology, Mannheim Centre of Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Karolina Wartolowska
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Katja Weimer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christoph Patrick Werner
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrew S C Rice
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jerry Draper-Rodi
- Research Department, University College of Osteopathy, London, UK
- National Council for Osteopathic Research, London, UK
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Kawashima A, Evans CJ. Needs-based triggers for timely referral to palliative care for older adults severely affected by noncancer conditions: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:20. [PMID: 36890522 PMCID: PMC9996955 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older people with noncancer conditions are less likely to be referred to palliative care services due to the inherent uncertain disease trajectory and a lack of standardised referral criteria. For older adults with noncancer conditions where prognostic estimation is unpredictable, needs-based criteria are likely more suitable. Eligibility criteria for participation in clinical trials on palliative care could inform a needs-based criteria. This review aimed to identify and synthesise eligibility criteria for trials in palliative care to construct a needs-based set of triggers for timely referral to palliative care for older adults severely affected by noncancer conditions. METHODS A systematic narrative review of published trials of palliative care service level interventions for older adults with noncancer conditions. Electronic databases Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov. were searched from inception to June 2022. We included all types of randomised controlled trials. We selected trials that reported eligibility criteria for palliative care involvement for older adults with noncancer conditions, where > 50% of the population was aged ≥ 65 years. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using a revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis provided descriptions of the patterns and appraised the applicability of included trial eligibility criteria to identify patients likely to benefit from receiving palliative care. RESULTS 27 randomised controlled trials met eligibility out of 9,584 papers. We identified six major domains of trial eligibility criteria in three categories, needs-based, time-based and medical history-based criteria. Needs-based criteria were composed of symptoms, functional status, and quality of life criteria. The major trial eligibility criteria were diagnostic criteria (n = 26, 96%), followed by medical history-based criteria (n = 15, 56%), and physical and psychological symptom criteria (n = 14, 52%). CONCLUSION For older adults severely affected by noncancer conditions, decisions about providing palliative care should be based on the present needs related to symptoms, functional status, and quality of life. Further research is needed to examine how the needs-based triggers can be operationalized as referral criteria in clinical settings and develop international consensus on referral criteria for older adults with noncancer conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arisa Kawashima
- Department of Nursing for Advanced Practice, Division of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, London, UK
| | - Catherine J Evans
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, London, UK. .,Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK.
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Jansen F, Brakenhoff RH, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Langendijk JA, Leemans CR, Takes RP, Terhaard CHJ, Smit JH, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM. Study retention and attrition in a longitudinal cohort study including patient-reported outcomes, fieldwork and biobank samples: results of the Netherlands quality of life and Biomedical cohort study (NET-QUBIC) among 739 head and neck cancer patients and 262 informal caregivers. BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:27. [PMID: 35065597 PMCID: PMC8784000 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01514-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Longitudinal observational cohort studies in cancer patients are important to move research and clinical practice forward. Continued study participation (study retention) is of importance to maintain the statistical power of research and facilitate representativeness of study findings. This study aimed to investigate study retention and attrition (drop-out) and its associated sociodemographic and clinical factors among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and informal caregivers included in the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study (NET-QUBIC). Methods NET-QUBIC is a longitudinal cohort study among 739 HNC patients and 262 informal caregivers with collection of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), fieldwork data (interview, objective tests and medical examination) and biobank materials. Study retention and attrition was described from baseline (before treatment) up to 2-years follow-up (after treatment). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with retention in NET-QUBIC components at baseline (PROMs, fieldwork and biobank samples) and retention in general (participation in at least one component) were investigated using Chi-square, Fisher exact or independent t-tests (p< 0.05). Results Study retention at 2-years follow-up was 80% among patients alive (66% among all patients) and 70% among caregivers of patients who were alive and participating (52% among all caregivers). Attrition was most often caused by mortality, and logistic, physical, or psychological-related reasons. Tumor stage I/II, better physical performance and better (lower) comorbidity score were associated with participation in the PROMs component among patients. No factors associated with participation in the fieldwork component (patients), overall sample collection (patients and caregivers) or PROMs component (caregivers) were identified. A better performance and comorbidity score (among patients) and higher age (among caregivers) were associated with study retention at 2-years follow-up. Conclusions Retention rates were high at two years follow-up (i.e. 80% among HNC patients alive and 70% among informal caregivers with an active patient). Nevertheless, some selection was shown in terms of tumor stage, physical performance, comorbidity and age, which might limit representativeness of NET-QUBIC data and samples. To facilitate representativeness of study findings future cohort studies might benefit from oversampling specific subgroups, such as patients with poor clinical outcomes or higher comorbidity and younger caregivers.
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Hussain JA, White IR, Johnson MJ, Byrne A, Preston NJ, Haines A, Seddon K, Peters TJ. Development of guidelines to reduce, handle and report missing data in palliative care trials: A multi-stakeholder modified nominal group technique. Palliat Med 2022; 36:59-70. [PMID: 35034529 PMCID: PMC8796167 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211065597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Missing data can introduce bias and reduce the power, precision and generalisability of study findings. Guidelines on how to address missing data are limited in scope and detail, and poorly implemented. AIM To develop guidelines on how best to (i) reduce, (ii) handle and (iii) report missing data in palliative care clinical trials. DESIGN Modified nominal group technique. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Patient and public research partners, palliative care clinicians, trialists, methodologists and statisticians attended a 1-day workshop, following which a multi-stakeholder development group drafted the guidelines. RESULTS Seven main recommendations for reducing missing data, nine for handling missing data and twelve for reporting missing data were developed. The top five recommendations were: (i) train all research staff on missing data, (ii) prepare for missing data at the trial design stage, (iii) address missing data in the statistical analysis plan, (iv) collect the reasons for missing data and (v) report descriptive statistics comparing the baseline characteristics of those with missing and observed data. Reducing missing data, preparing for missing data and understanding the reasons for missing data were greater priorities for stakeholders than how to deal with missing data once they had occurred. CONCLUSION Comprehensive guidelines on how to address missing data were developed by stakeholders involved in palliative care trials. Implementation of the guidelines will require endorsement of research funders and research journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamilla A Hussain
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Ian R White
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Anthony Byrne
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nancy J Preston
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Andy Haines
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society and Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kathy Seddon
- Marie Curie Research Voice, Wales Cancer Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tim J Peters
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Helde Frankling M, Klasson C, Björkhem-Bergman L. Successful Strategies and Areas of Improvement-Lessons Learned from Design and Conduction of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Palliative Care, 'Palliative-D'. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111233. [PMID: 34833109 PMCID: PMC8619948 DOI: 10.3390/life11111233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials in palliative care are challenging to design and conduct. Burden on patients should be minimized, while gatekeeping by professionals and next-of kin needs to be avoided. Clinical deterioration due to disease progression affects attrition unrelated to intervention, and different care settings complicate comparisons and reduce the generalizability of the results. The aim of this review is to provide advice for colleagues planning to perform clinical trials in palliative care based on our own experiences from performing the Palliative-D study and by a thorough literature review on this topic. The Palliative-D study was a double-blind trial with 244 randomized patients comparing the effect of vitamin D3 to placebo in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer in the palliative phase of their disease trajectory who were enrolled in specialized palliative home care teams. Endpoints were opioid and antibiotic use, fatigue, and QoL. Recruitment was successful, but attrition rates were higher than expected, and we did not reach targeted power. For the 150 patients who completed the study, the completeness of the data was exceptionally high. Rather than patient reported pain, we choose the difference in the mean change in opioid dose between groups after twelve weeks compared to baseline as the primary endpoint. In this paper we discuss challenges in palliative care research based on lessons learned from the "Palliative-D" trial regarding successful strategies as well as areas for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Helde Frankling
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Thoracic Oncology Center, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Caritha Klasson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Stockholms Sjukhem, Palliative Medicine, Mariebergsgatan 22, SE-112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Björkhem-Bergman
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Stockholms Sjukhem, Palliative Medicine, Mariebergsgatan 22, SE-112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
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Systematic review and meta analysis of differential attrition between active and control arms in randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions in chronic disease. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:122. [PMID: 34126934 PMCID: PMC8204467 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-021-01313-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attrition is a major obstacle for lifestyle interventions sustained for the medium-to-long term and can have significant consequences on the internal validity of a trial. When the degree of attrition differs between active and control arms this is termed differential attrition and is an important consideration during initial stages of trial planning. OBJECTIVES The primary research question of this study was: what is the differential attrition between treatment arms in lifestyle interventions for prevalent chronic diseases? METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies involving a lifestyle intervention component in cohorts with chronic diseases. The search accessed three databases: Scopus, Medline Ovid and Web of Science. Attrition between treatment arms was analysed using a random-effects model and examined the relationship between the relative attrition and potential moderators, such as time to final follow-up, time to first follow-up, type of disease, type of control, type of intervention and length of treatment. RESULTS The pooled risk ratio was 1.00 (95% CI 0.97 - 1.03) and only one study fell outside this range. A univariable association was described between the pooled risk ration and length (years) to final follow-up, which did not remain in the multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS Ultimately, we found no evidence of differential attrition in medium-to-long term lifestyle intervention studies for chronic disease, increasing confidence in conducting such studies with minimal potential of attrition bias. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration number CRD42018084495 .
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11
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Reggio C, Mowbray C, Waldron MK, Rood AL, Sibilia G, Mooney-Doyle K, Hinds PS. "It Can Be Hard But It's Not Bad": Three Questions to Solicit Caregiver Perceptions of Benefits and Burdens to Participating in Pediatric Palliative Care Research. J Palliat Med 2021; 24:1641-1649. [PMID: 33902327 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To allay uneasiness among clinicians and institutional review board members about pediatric palliative care research and to yield new knowledge relevant to study methods, documenting burdens and benefits of this research on children and their families is essential. Design: In a grounded theory study with three data points (T1, T2, and T3), we evaluated benefits and burdens of family caregiver participation at T3. English-speaking caregivers participating in palliative or end-of-life decisions for their child with incurable cancer or their seriously ill child in the intensive care unit participated. Thirty-seven caregivers (n = 22 from oncology; n = 15 from intensive care) of 33 children completed T3 interviews; most were mothers (n = 25, 67.6%), African American (n = 18, 48.6%), and married (n = 28, 75.7%). Measurement: Benefits and burdens were assessed by three open-ended questions asked by an interviewer during a scheduled telephone contact. Responses were analyzed using descriptive semantic content analysis techniques and themes were extracted. Results: All 37 T3 participants completed the 3 questions, resulting in no missing data. The most frequently reported themes were of positive personal impact: "Hoping to help others," "Speaking about what is hard is important," and "Being in the study was sometimes hard but not bad." Conclusions: No caregiver described the study as burdensome. Some acknowledged that answering the questions could evoke sad memories, but highlighted benefits for self and others. Attrition somewhat tempers the emphasis on benefits. Documenting perceived benefits and burdens in a standardized manner may accurately convey impact of study participation and yield new knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Reggio
- Division of Nursing, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Catriona Mowbray
- Division of Oncology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mia K Waldron
- Division of Nursing, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adelaide L Rood
- Department of Nursing, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Gabriella Sibilia
- The Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kim Mooney-Doyle
- University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pamela S Hinds
- Division of Nursing, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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12
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Samuels V, Schoppee TM, Greenlee A, Gordon D, Jean S, Smith V, Reed T, Kittelson S, Quest T, O'Mahony S, Hauser J, Guay MOD, Rabow MW, Emanuel L, Fitchett G, Handzo G, Chochinov HM, Yao Y, Wilkie DJ. Interim Analysis of Attrition Rates in Palliative Care Study on Dignity Therapy. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:1503-1508. [PMID: 33557587 DOI: 10.1177/1049909121994309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A routine threat to palliative care research is participants not completing studies. The purpose of this analysis was to quantify attrition rates mid-way through a palliative care study on Dignity Therapy and describe the reasons cited for attrition. Enrolled in the study were a total of 365 outpatients with cancer who were receiving outpatient specialty palliative care (mean age 66.7 ± 7.3 years, 56% female, 72% White, 22% Black, 6% other race/ethnicity). These participants completed an initial screening for cognitive status, performance status, physical distress, and spiritual distress. There were 76 eligible participants who did not complete the study (58% female, mean age 67.9 ± 7.3 years, 76% White, 17% Black, and 7% other race). Of those not completing the study, the average scores were 74.5 ± 11.7 on the Palliative Performance Scale and 28.3 ± 1.5 on the Mini-Mental Status Examination, whereas 22% had high spiritual distress scores and 45% had high physical distress scores. The most common reason for attrition was death/decline of health (47%), followed by patient withdrawal from the study (21%), and patient lost to follow-up (21%). The overall attrition rate was 24% and within the a priori projected attrition rate of 20%-30%. Considering the current historical context, this interim analysis is important because it will serve as baseline data on attrition prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research will compare these results with attrition throughout the rest of the study, allowing analysis of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the study attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tasha M Schoppee
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Tyra Reed
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Tammie Quest
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael W Rabow
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Sedhom R, Nudotor R, Freund KM, Smith TJ, Cooper LA, Owczarzak JT, Johnston FM. Can Community Health Workers Increase Palliative Care Use for African American Patients? A Pilot Study. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 17:e158-e167. [PMID: 33476179 PMCID: PMC8257996 DOI: 10.1200/op.20.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE African American patients with cancer underutilize advance care planning (ACP) and palliative care (PC). This feasibility study investigated whether community health workers (CHWs) could improve ACP and PC utilization for African American patients with advanced cancer. METHODS African American patients diagnosed with an advanced solid organ cancer (stage IV or stage III disease with a palliative performance score < 60%) were enrolled. Patients completed baseline surveys that assessed symptom burden and distress at baseline and 3 months post-CHW intervention. The CHW intervention consisted of a comprehensive assessment of multiple PC domains and social determinants of health. CHWs provided tailored support and education on the basis of iterative assessment of patient needs. Intervention feasibility was determined by patient and caregiver retention rate above 50% at 3 months. RESULTS Over a 12-month period, 24 patients were screened, of which 21 were deemed eligible. Twelve patients participated in the study. Patient retention was high at 3 months (75%) and 6 months (66%). Following the CHW intervention, symptom assessment as measured by Edmonton Symptom Assessment System improved from 33.8 at baseline to 18.8 (P = .03). Psychological distress improved from 5.5 to 4.7 (P = .36), and depressive symptoms from 42.2 to 33.6 (P = .09), although this was not significant. ACP documentation improved from 25% at baseline to 75% at study completion. Sixty-seven percentage of patients were referred to PC, with 100% of three decedents using hospice. CONCLUSION Utilization of CHWs to address PC domains and social determinants of health is feasible. Although study enrollment was identified as a potential barrier, most recruited patients were retained on study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy Sedhom
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
| | - Richard Nudotor
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Karen M. Freund
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Thomas J. Smith
- Palliative Care Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lisa A. Cooper
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jill T. Owczarzak
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Fabian M. Johnston
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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