Using a Heuristic Tool to Improve Symptom Self-Management in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AI interpretation is pending for this paper.
Open original publication →What the AI sees
Not AI summarized yet.
Research significance
Pending deeper interpretation.
Source abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer experience multiple distressing symptoms during treatment, yet few developmentally relevant resources have been developed to help them self-manage their symptoms. Empowering patients to have a more active role in self-management during cancer treatment may lessen their symptom severity and distress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to test an intervention designed to improve symptom self-management, the Computerized Symptom Capture Tool (C-SCAT), by helping AYAs understand their unique symptom experience and discuss it with their health care providers. METHODS: We are conducting a multisite, 2-group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of the C-SCAT in improving symptom self-management versus usual care in 126 AYAs who are within the first 3 months of a cancer diagnosis and who are receiving chemotherapy. Participants are randomly assigned to either the C-SCAT intervention group or the usual care group. The primary aim is to determine the effects of the C-SCAT versus usual care on the primary outcomes of self-efficacy for symptom management and symptom self-management behaviors. The secondary aim is to examine the effects of the C-SCAT versus usual care on distal outcomes, including symptoms and quality of life. Participants complete measures of self-efficacy for symptom management, symptom self-management behaviors, symptom severity and distress, quality of life social function, and quality of life satisfaction of social function at baseline (time 0), immediately postintervention (time 1), and at follow-up 1 month later (time 2). RESULTS: Recruitment started on January 4, 2024, at the first site, and all sites were open by May 1, 2024. Thus far, accrual has been set at 73% of the quarterly benchmark goal. Linear mixed effects models will be used to test for group differences across time for the primary and secondary aims. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial is evaluating an innovative, point-of-care intervention designed to be used at a clinic visit with the provider to improve symptom self-management for AYAs with cancer.