scholarly journals Renewed: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a digital intervention to support quality of life in cancer survivors

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Krusche ◽  
Katherine Bradbury ◽  
Teresa Corbett ◽  
Jane Barnett ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
...  

IntroductionLow quality of life is common in cancer survivors. Increasing physical activity, improving diet, supporting psychological well-being and weight loss can improve quality of life in several cancers and may limit relapse. The aim of the randomised controlled trial outlined in this protocol is to examine whether a digital intervention (Renewed), with or without human support, can improve quality of life in cancer survivors. Renewed provides support for increasing physical activity, managing difficult emotions, eating a healthier diet and weight management.Methods and analysisA randomised controlled trial is being conducted comparing usual care, access to Renewed or access to Renewed with brief human support. Cancer survivors who have had colorectal, breast or prostate cancer will be identified and invited through general practice searches and mail-outs. Participants are asked to complete baseline measures immediately after screening and will then be randomised to a study group; this is all completed on the Renewed website. The primary outcome is quality of life measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-c30. Secondary outcomes include anxiety and depression, fear of cancer recurrence, general well-being, enablement and items relating to costs for a health economics analysis. Process measures include perceptions of human support, intervention usage and satisfaction, and adherence to behavioural changes. Qualitative process evaluations will be conducted with patients and healthcare staff providing support.Ethics and disseminationThe trial has been approved by the NHS Research Ethics Committee (Reference 18/NW/0013). The results of this trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals and through conference presentations.Trial registration numberISRCTN96374224; Pre-results.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9507-9507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette L. Vardy ◽  
Melanie Bell ◽  
Hidde van der Ploeg ◽  
Jane Turner ◽  
Michael Kabourakis ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e049704
Author(s):  
Johan H Vlake ◽  
Jasper van Bommel ◽  
Evert-Jan Wils ◽  
Tim Korevaar ◽  
Merel E Hellemons ◽  
...  

IntroductionIntensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative might lead to psychological distress and complicated grief (post-intensive care syndrome–family; PICS-F). Evidence suggests that increased distress during ICU stay increases risk of PICS-F, resulting in difficulty returning to their normal lives after the ICU experience. Effective interventions to improve PICS-F are currently lacking. In the present trial, we hypothesised that information provision using ICU-specific Virtual Reality for Family members/relatives (ICU-VR-F) may improve understanding of the ICU and subsequently improve psychological well-being and quality of life in relatives of patients admitted to the ICU.Methods and analysisThis multicentre, clustered randomised controlled trial will be conducted from January to December 2021 in the mixed medical-surgical ICUs of four hospitals in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We aim to include adult relatives of 160 ICU patients with an expected ICU length of stay over 72 hours. Participants will be randomised clustered per patient in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group. Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive ICU-VR-F, an information video that can be watched in VR, while the control group will receive usual care. Initiation of ICU-VR-F will be during their hospital visit unless participants cannot visit the hospital due to COVID-19 regulations, then VR can be watched digitally at home. The primary objective is to study the effect of ICU-VR-F on psychological well-being and quality of life up to 6 months after the patients’ ICU discharge. The secondary outcome is the degree of understanding of ICU treatment and ICU modalities.Ethics and disseminationThe Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, approved the study and local approval was obtained from each participating centre (NL73670.078.20). Our findings will be disseminated by presentation of the results at (inter)national conferences and publication in scientific, peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNetherlands Trial Register (TrialRegister.nl, NL9220).


Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farren L. Goulding ◽  
Charity D. Evans ◽  
Katherine B. Knox ◽  
Hyun J. Lim ◽  
Michael C. Levin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Because of the long-term and unpredictable nature of the disease, the burden of MS is significant from both a patient and societal perspective. Despite a recent influx of disease-modifying therapies to treat MS, many individuals continue to experience disability that negatively affects productivity and quality of life. Previous research indicates that physical activity has a positive impact on walking function in individuals with MS, in addition to the usual beneficial effects on overall health. However, most people with MS are not active enough to gain these benefits, and a lack of support to initiate and maintain physical activity has been identified as a major barrier. This study will evaluate the impact of a novel intervention involving individualised behaviour change strategies delivered by neurophysiotherapists on increasing physical activity levels in individuals with MS who are currently inactive. Methods/design This single-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada. Eligible participants include individuals with MS who are ambulatory but identified as currently inactive by the self-reported Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The intervention will be delivered by neurophysiotherapists and includes individualised behaviour change strategies aimed at increasing physical activity over a 12-month period. The control group will receive usual care during the 12-month study period. The primary outcome is the change in physical activity level, as measured by the change in the GLTEQ score from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes include the change in patient-reported outcome measures assessing MS-specific symptoms, confidence and quality of life. Discussion Physical activity has been identified as a top research priority by the MS community. Findings from this novel study may result in new knowledge that could significantly impact the management and overall health of individuals with MS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04027114. Registered on 10 July 2019.


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