Psycho-educational interventions for gynecological cancer patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN21846801 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN21846801 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | study protocol version 1 |
- Submission date
- 07/09/2016
- Registration date
- 08/09/2016
- Last edited
- 27/01/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Cancer
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Being diagnosed with gynecological cancer (cancer that affects the female reproductive system) and the related treatments can be a difficult experience for women, and can lead to problems with sexual functioning. In addition, the unpredictability of the disease can lead to high levels of anxiety, which may have a negative effect on quality of life. Psycho-educational interventions (programs which combine education and counseling) for gynecological cancer patients were found to have positive effects on sexual functioning and mental health status. This type of program is still rare in Hong Kong however. The aim of this study is to find out whether a nurse-delivered psycho-educational intervention could help to improve sexual function and mental wellbeing in gynecological cancer patients in Hong Kong.
Who can participate?
Women over the age of 18 with a new diagnosis of gynecological cancer who are planning to have surgical treatment.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive four sessions of the psycho-educational program, delivered by a trained nurse. The first session takes place before the operation and involves being given information about gynecological cancer. The second session is 1-2 days after surgery and involves meeting with the nurse. The third session is arranged for after the patient is discharged from hospital, and involves talking about how they are recovering and if they are experiencing any discomfort. The fourth session involves individual counseling 3-4 months after the operation. Those in the second group receive the same amount of contact without the information and counseling. Participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaires before and after the program in order to assess sexual functioning and mental wellbeing.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from an improvement to their sexual function, mental wellbeing and quality of life. There are no risks associated with participating in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital (Hong Kong)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to July 2018
Who is funding the study?
Health and Medical Research Fund (Hong Kong)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Ka Ming Chow
Contact information
Scientific
The Nethersole School of Nursing
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
000
Hong Kong
Study information
| Study design | Single-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | A randomized controlled trial of psycho-educational interventions for reducing uncertainty and anxiety, and improving sexual functioning among gynecological cancer patients in Hong Kong |
| Study objectives | Compared with an attention control (AC) group, participants in the intervention group will have: 1. A statistically significant lower level of uncertainty after the completion of the program 2. A statistically significant lower level of anxiety after the completion of the program 3. A statistically significant improvement in sexual functioning after the completion of the program |
| Ethics approval(s) | 1. Kowloon Central Cluster / Kowloon East Cluster Research Ethics Committee (KCC / KEC REC), 08/12/2015, ref: KC/KE-15-0206/ER-1 2. Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong – New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee (The Joint CUHK-NTEC CREC), 27/01/2016, ref: 2014.501-T |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Gynecological cancer |
| Intervention | The participants will be assigned randomly to participate in a psycho-educational intervention program or to an attention control group: Psycho-educational intervention group: Participants will receive four sessions of the program by the research nurse who is a qualified registered nurse with rich clinical experience and will receive two days of training, and each lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. The first session will be provided before the operation. Information about gynecological cancer will be provided. The second session will be on post-operative day 1 or 2, the participants will be met with the nurse intervener. The third session will be arranged after discharge, a telephone call will be made at 4 weeks afterwards by the nurse intervener to ask about their recovery status and any discomfort encountered. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes. At 3 months after operation, the fourth session will be arranged for individual counseling. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted for selective participants after the individual counselling. The interviews will be audio-taped for data analysis. Attention control group: Participants will receive the same amount of attention by the nurse intervener. Before the operation, they will be met for completing a questionnaire. On post-operative day 1 or 2, the nurse intervener will visit them about their post-operative condition. After discharge, a telephone call will be made at 4 weeks afterwards by the nurse intervener about their recovery status and any discomfort encountered. At 3 months after operation, they will receive a telephone call from the nurse intervener for completing a questionnaire, it takes about 20 minutes. All the participants will answer a set of questionnaires measuring uncertainty, anxiety and sexual functioning on recruitment and after the completion of the psycho-educational intervention program. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure | Level of uncertainty will be measured using the Chinese version of Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (C-MUIS) at baseline and the completion of the intervention (3-4 months). |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Level of anxiety will be measured using the Chinese version of the anxiety subscale in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline and the completion of the intervention (3-4 months) 2. Sexual functioning will be measured using the Chinese version of Sexual Function-Vaginal Changes Questionnaire (SVQ) at the completion of the intervention (3-4 months) |
| Overall study start date | 20/03/2015 |
| Completion date | 31/07/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target number of participants | 200 subjects |
| Total final enrolment | 202 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Women with a new diagnosis of primary gynecological cancer including uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers over the past three months 2. Planning for surgery as the first-line treatment 3. Older than 18 years 4. Able to understand spoken Cantonese and to read all materials printed in Chinese 5. Able to consent to participate |
| Key exclusion criteria | Patients with known psychiatric morbidity. |
| Date of first enrolment | 09/09/2016 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Hong Kong
Study participating centres
30 Gascoigne Road
Yau Ma Tei
-
Hong Kong
30 Ngan Shing Street
Sha Tin
-
Hong Kong
Sponsor information
Government
Secretary for Food and Health
18/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices
2 Tim Mei Avenue
Tamar
000
Hong Kong
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03qh32912 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
- Alternative name(s)
- 医疗卫生研究基金, HMRF
- Location
- Hong Kong
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 31/07/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| Publication and dissemination plan | The study results will be disseminated in international conferences within one year after the completion of the study. Publications will be planned in high-impact peer reviewed journals. |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/02/2020 | 27/01/2020 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
27/01/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
