scholarly journals Effectiveness of CRSCE-Based De-escalation Training on Reducing Physical Restraint in Psychiatric Hospitals: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junrong Ye ◽  
Zhichun Xia ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Yao Liao ◽  
Yu Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical Restraint ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unexpected Events ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: The use of physical restraint (PR) causes clinical and ethical issues; great efforts are being made to reduce the use of PR in psychiatric hospitals globally.Aim: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of CRSCE-based de-escalation training on reducing PR in psychiatric hospitals.Method: The proposed study adopted cluster randomized controlled trial design. Twelve wards of a psychiatric hospital were randomly allocated to experimental group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). Wards of control group were assigned to routine training regarding PR; wards of experimental group underwent the same routine training while additionally received CRSCE-based de-escalation training. Before and after CRSCE-based de-escalation training, the frequency of and the duration of PR, and the numbers and level of unexpected events caused by PR, were recorded.Results: After CRSCE-based de-escalation training, the frequency (inpatients and patients admitted within 24 h) of and the duration of PR of experimental group, showed a descending trend and were significantly lower than those of control group (P < 0.01); compared to control group, the numbers of unexpected events (level II and level III) and injury caused by PR of experimental group had been markedly reduced (P < 0.05).Conclusions: CRSCE-based de-escalation training would be useful to reduce the use of PR and the unexpected event caused by PR in psychiatric hospitals. The modules of CRSCE-based de-escalation training can be adopted for future intervention minimizing clinical use of PR.Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration Number: ChiCTR1900022211).

scholarly journals The effectiveness of an interactive organ donation education intervention for Dutch lower-educated students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Steenaart ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Math JJM Candel ◽  
Nanne K de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Organ Donation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among people with lower educational levels. An interactive educational intervention was developed to prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision about organ donation. This article reports on the effects of this intervention on the intention to register (i.e. the primary outcome in the study at hand) and beliefs regarding organ donation. Methods: The effectiveness was investigated in a post-test only cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention was offered to the experimental group and after measurement also to the control group. Randomization to the experimental and control groups took place at a class level. Teachers of schools for intermediate vocational education who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e. video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and exercise filling out a registration form) to their students during two 50-minute lessons. Results: A total of 1170 students participated in the trial and filled out a questionnaire (45 experimental and 43 control classes). Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group had higher odds of having positive registration intentions (OR=1.81; 95%CI [1.10-2.96]), their perceived knowledge was higher (B=.62; 95%CI [.23-1.01]) and they had higher intentions to talk to family members (B=.68; 95%CI [.28-1.08]) and friends (B=.36; 95%CI [.07-.66]) about organ donation. There were no effects on the choice students intended to register (OR=1.08; 95%CI [.67-1.73]). Conclusions: Providing education in a classroom setting is an effective tool in increasing registration intentions. Despite uncertainties about the effects on actual registration behavior, a larger scale dissemination of this intervention is recommended. Providing clear information and opening the discussion about organ donation is an important and promising first step towards higher registration rates. Trial registration: The Dutch Trial Register, NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction after Laparoscopy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
LISHA LIU ◽  
XIULI YUAN ◽  
QUANMIN JIANG ◽  
LEI YANG ◽  
GUANGQIANG HUANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction ◽  
Blank Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the common complications after surgery. At present, there has no internationally recognized acupuncture program although it has a positive effect on the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function. In this report, we have designed a scientific trial protocol to analyze the feasibility of applying acupuncture to gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery. We intend to conduct a randomized controlled trial based on this protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction. Method / design: This study is a randomized, evaluator blinded, controlled, multi-center clinical trial, which has been designed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT 2010) and the standard for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). The subjects will be chosen from the inpatients who have undergone laparoscopic surgery of Mianyang Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of traditional Chinese medicine, Mianyang Third People's Hospital and Mianyang Anzhou District People's Hospital. According to the random number generated by SPSS 25.0 software, the qualified subjects will be randomly assigned to the experimental group, the control group, and the blank group. Therapies will be performed 30 minutes after operation, the experimental group will be treated with acupuncture, the control group will be treated with intravenous injection of granisetron, and the blank group will be treated with intravenous injection of physiological saline. The main outcome is the first time of flatus after operation, and the secondary outcomes are abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting times, gastrointestinal hormone level, and mental state. We will also evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on the basis of the principle of good clinical practice (GCP). Discuss: This is a standardized and scientific clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery. Our goal is to provide objective evidence and improve the acupoint prescription in clinical practice, so as to promote the clinical application of this technology. Trial registration China clinical trial registration ID: CHICTR -1800016991. Registered on 6 July 2018.Discussion

scholarly journals The effectiveness of an interactive organ donation education intervention for Dutch lower-educated students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Steenaart ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Math J. J. M. Candel ◽  
Nanne K. de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Organ Donation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among people with lower educational levels. An interactive educational intervention was developed to prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision about organ donation. This article reports on the effects of this intervention on the intention to register (i.e., the primary outcome in the study at hand) and beliefs regarding organ donation. Materials and methods The effectiveness was investigated in a post-test-only cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention was offered to the experimental group and after measurement also to the control group. Randomization to the experimental and control groups took place at a class level. Teachers of schools for Intermediate Vocational Education who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e., video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and exercise filling out a registration form) to their students during two 50-min lessons. Results A total of 1170 students participated in the trial and filled out a questionnaire (45 experimental and 43 control classes). Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group had higher odds of having positive registration intentions (OR = 1.81; 95%CI [1.10–2.96]), their perceived knowledge was higher (B = 0.62; 95%CI [0.23–1.01]) and they had higher intentions to talk to family members (B = 0.68; 95%CI [0.28–1.08]) and friends (B = 0.36; 95%CI [0.07–0.66]) about organ donation. There were no effects on the choice students intended to register (OR = 1.08; 95%CI [0.67–1.73]). Conclusions Providing education in a classroom setting is an effective tool in increasing registration intentions. Despite uncertainties about the effects on actual registration behavior, a larger-scale dissemination of this intervention is recommended. Providing clear information and opening the discussion about organ donation is an important and promising first step towards higher registration rates. Trial registration The Dutch Trial Register, ID: NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557

Evaluation of a collaborative protocolized approach by community pharmacies and general medical practitioners for an Australian minor ailments scheme: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dineen-Griffin ◽  
Victoria Garcia Cardenas ◽  
Kylie Williams ◽  
Shalom Isaac Benrimoj
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Cluster Randomized

BACKGROUND Internationally, governments have been investing in supporting pharmacists to take on an expanded role to support self-care for health system efficiency. There is consistent evidence that minor ailment schemes (MAS) promote efficiencies within the healthcare system. The cost savings and health outcomes demonstrated in the UK and Canada opens up new opportunities for pharmacists to effect sustainable changes through MAS delivery in Australia. OBJECTIVE This trial is evaluating the clinical, economic and humanistic impact of an Australian minor ailments service (AMAS), compared with usual pharmacy care in a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Western Sydney, Australia. METHODS The cluster-randomized controlled trial design has an intervention and a control group, comparing individuals receiving a structured intervention with those receiving usual care for specific common ailments. Participants will be community pharmacies, general practices and patients located in Western Sydney Primary Health Network region. 30 community pharmacies will be randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. Each will recruit 24 patients seeking, aged 18 years or older, presenting to the pharmacy in person with a symptom-based or product-based request for one of the following ailments (reflux, cough, common cold, headache (tension or migraine), primary dysmenorrhoea and low back pain). Intervention pharmacists will deliver protocolized care to patients using clinical treatment pathways with agreed referral points and collaborative systems boosting clinician-pharmacist communication. Patients recruited in control pharmacies will receive usual care. The co-primary outcomes are rates of appropriate use of nonprescription medicines and rates of appropriate medical referral. Secondary outcomes include self-reported symptom resolution, time to resolution of symptoms, health services resource utilization and EQ VAS. Differences in the primary outcomes between groups will be analyzed at the individual patient level accounting for correlation within clusters with generalized estimating equations. The economic impact of the model will be evaluated by cost analysis compared with usual care. RESULTS The study began in July 2018. At the time of submission, 30 community pharmacies have been recruited. Pharmacists from the 15 intervention pharmacies have been trained. 27 general practices have consented. Pharmacy patient recruitment began in August 2018 and is ongoing and monthly targets are being met. Recruitment will be completed March 31st, 2019. CONCLUSIONS This study may demonstrate the utilization and efficacy of a protocolized intervention to manage minor ailments in the community, and will assess the clinical, economic and humanistic impact of this intervention in Australian pharmacy practice. Pharmacists supporting patient self-care and self-medication may contribute greater efficiency of healthcare resources and integration of self-care in the health system. The proposed model and developed educational content may form the basis of a MAS national service, with protocolized care for common ailments using a robust framework for management and referral. CLINICALTRIAL Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12618000286246. Registered on 23 February 2018.

scholarly journals Primary dementia care based on the individual needs of the patient: study protocol of the cluster randomized controlled trial, DemStepCare

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Bablok ◽  
◽  
Harald Binder ◽  
Dominikus Stelzer ◽  
Klaus Kaier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Individual Needs ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Most people with dementia (PwD) are cared for at home, with general practitioners (GPs) playing a key part in the treatment. However, primary dementia care suffers from a number of shortcomings: Often, diagnoses are made too late and therapies by GPs do not follow the guidelines. In cases of acute crises, PwD are too often admitted to hospital with adverse effects on the further course of the disease. The aim of this study is to implement and evaluate a new GP-based, complex dementia care model, DemStepCare. DemStepCare aims to ensure demand-oriented, stepped care for PwD and their caregivers. Methods/design In a cluster randomized controlled trial, the care of PwD receiving a complex intervention, where the GP is supported by a multi-professional team, is compared to (slightly expanded) usual care. GPs are clustered by GP practice, with 120 GP practices participating in total. GP practices are randomized to an intervention or a control group. 800 PwD are to be included per group. Recruitment takes place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. In addition, a second control group with at least 800 PwD will be formed using aggregated routine data from German health insurance companies. The intervention comprises the training of GPs, case management including repeated risk assessment of the patients’ care situation, the demand-oriented service of an outpatient clinic, an electronic case record, external medication analyses and a link to regional support services. The primary aims of the intervention are to positively influence the quality of life for PwD, to reduce the caregivers’ burden, and to reduce the days spent in hospital. Secondary endpoints address medication adequacy and GPs’ attitudes and sensitivity towards dementia, among others. Discussion The GP-based dementia care model DemStepCare is intended to combine a number of promising interventions to provide a complex, stepped intervention that follows the individual needs of PwD and their caregivers. Its effectiveness and feasibility will be assessed in a formative and a summative evaluation. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS), DRKS00023560. Registered 13 November 2020 - Retrospectively registered. HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00023560.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of duloxetine for postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty in centrally sensitized patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shicheng Wang ◽  
Wensheng Wang ◽  
Long Shao ◽  
Jing Ling
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Postoperative Residual

Abstract Background Postoperative residual knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a significant factor that contributes to patient dissatisfaction. Patients with preoperative central sensitization (CS) may be more susceptible to unexplained chronic pain after TKA, and duloxetine has been reported to be effective in post-TKA pain control in patients with CS. However, there remains limited evidence to support this off-label use in routine clinical practice. Hence, we designed this randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial to evaluate the effects of preoperative screening and targeted duloxetine treatment of CS on postoperative residual pain compared with the care-as-usual control group. Methods This randomized controlled trial includes patients with knee osteoarthritis on a waiting list for primary unilateral TKA. Patients with preoperative CS will be randomly allocated to the perioperative duloxetine treatment group (duloxetine group) or the care-as-usual control group (placebo group). Patients in the duloxetine group will receive a half-dose of preemptive duloxetine (30 mg/day) for a week before surgery and a full-dose of duloxetine (60 mg/day) for six weeks after surgery. The primary outcome is the intensity of residual pain at six months after TKA, including the visual analogue scale, 11-point numeric rating scale, the sensory dimension of the brief pain inventory, and the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The secondary outcome measures will include the pain and function related outcomes. All of the patients will be followed up at one, three, and six months after surgery. All adverse events will be recorded and immediately reported to the primary investigator and ethics committee to decide if the patient needs to drop out from the trial. Discussion This clinical trial will convey the latest evidence of the efficacy and safety of the application of duloxetine in postoperative pain control in CS patients who are scheduled for TKA. The study results will be disseminated at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) registration number: ChiCTR2000031674. Registered 07 April 2020.

scholarly journals Frequency of repositioning for preventing pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in ICU: protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga L. Cortés ◽  
Mauricio Herrera-Galindo ◽  
Juan Carlos Villar ◽  
Yudi A. Rojas ◽  
María del Pilar Paipa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Pressure Ulcers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Despite being considered preventable, ulcers due to pressure affect between 30 and 50% of patients at high and very high risk and susceptibility, especially those hospitalized under critical care. Despite a lack of evidence over the efficacy in prevention against ulcers due to pressure, hourly repositioning in critical care as an intervention is used with more or less frequency to alleviate pressure on patients’ tissues. This brings up the objective of our study, which is to evaluate the efficacy in prevention of ulcers due to pressure acquired during hospitalization, specifically regarding two frequency levels of repositioning or manual posture switching in adults hospitalized in different intensive care units in different Colombian hospitals. Methods A nurse-applied cluster randomized controlled trial of parallel groups (two branches), in which 22 eligible ICUs (each consisting of 150 patients), will be randomized to a high-frequency level repositioning intervention or to a conventional care (control group). Patients will be followed until their exit from each cluster. The primary result of this study is originated by regarding pressure ulcers using clusters (number of first ulcers per patient, at the early stage of progression, first one acquired after admission for 1000 days). The secondary results include evaluating the risk index on the patients’ level (Hazard ratio, 95% IC) and a description of repositioning complications. Two interim analyses will be performed through the course of this study. A statistical difference between the groups < 0.05 in the main outcome, the progression of ulcers due to pressure (best or worst outcome in the experimental group), will determine whether the study should be put to a halt/determine the termination of the study. Conclusion This study is innovative in its use of clusters to advance knowledge of the impact of repositioning as a prevention strategy against the appearance of ulcers caused by pressure in critical care patients. The resulting recommendations of this study can be used for future clinical practice guidelines in prevention and safety for patients at risk. Trial registration PENFUP phase-2 was Registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04604665) in October 2020.

scholarly journals Narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy (NECT) to improve social functioning in people with serious mental illness: study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dubreucq ◽  
M. Faraldo ◽  
M. Abbes ◽  
B. Ycart ◽  
H. Richard-Lepouriel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stepped Wedge ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background Self-stigma is highly prevalent in serious mental illness (SMI) and is associated with poorer clinical and functional outcomes. Narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy (NECT) is a group-based intervention combining psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring and story-telling exercises to reduce self-stigma and its impact on recovery-related outcomes. Despite evidence of its effectiveness on self-stigma in schizophrenia-related disorders, it is unclear whether NECT can impact social functioning. Methods This is a 12-centre stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial of NECT effectiveness on social functioning in SMI, compared to treatment as usual. One hundred and twenty participants diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder will be recruited across the 12 sites. The 12 centres participating to the study will be randomized into two groups: one group (group 1) receiving the intervention at the beginning of the study (T0) and one group (group 2) being a control group for the first 6 months and receiving the intervention after (T1). Outcomes will be compared in both groups at T0 and T1, and 6-month and 12-month outcomes for groups 1 and 2 will be measured without a control group at T2 (to evaluate the stability of the effects over time). Evaluations will be conducted by assessors blind to treatment allocation. The primary outcome is personal and social performance compared across randomization groups. Secondary outcomes include self-stigma, self-esteem, wellbeing, quality of life, illness severity, depressive symptoms and personal recovery. Discussion NECT is a promising intervention for reducing self-stigma and improving recovery-related outcomes in SMI. If shown to be effective in this trial, it is likely that NECT will be implemented in psychiatric rehabilitation services with subsequent implications for routine clinical practice. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03972735. Trial registration date 31 May 2019.

scholarly journals A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Feasibility Study of a WhatsApp-Delivered Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Habits in Male Firefighters

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6633
Author(s):  
Winnie Wing Man Ng ◽  
Anthony Siu Wo Wong ◽  
Kin Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits ◽  
Cluster Randomized

This cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT)-designed study aimed to explore the feasibility of a promotion pamphlet and/or WhatsApp as a suitable mode of delivery to promote healthy eating habits with fruit and vegetables (F&V) among firefighters. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. Forty-five firefighters from 23 fire stations were recruited and they all received the printed pamphlet, while the intervention group participants (n = 20) received additional teaching material through WhatsApp every two weeks for eight weeks. Feasibility outcomes included retention, practicality, and implementation. The participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. There were significant improvements in the mean numbers of days consuming F&V (p = 0.002; p = 0.031) in the intervention group, and for fruit consumption (p = 0.033) in the control group between the baseline (T0) and 3 months after completion of intervention (T1). High levels of participants’ satisfaction with the intervention revealed that a full-scale CRCT of the WhatsApp-delivered intervention promoting healthy eating could be feasible, especially as a means of increasing the numbers of days they consumed F&V and the numbers of servings of these consumed per day.

Cluster Symptoms Reduction via Telephone-Based Intervention in Thai Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing 4-Cycle Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-894
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Cluster symptoms are a common occurrence in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The telephone is a well-recognized, convenient device for reaching out to patients for monitoring and managing their symptoms in an efficient, prompt, and appropriate manner. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of telephone-based intervention to achieve energy conservation among breast cancer patients with the aim of alleviating fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and depression. Materials and Methods: The present study was a two-armed, randomized control trial conducted in the university hospital between March and September 2019. Seventy-four breast cancer patients, receiving four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, were randomly recruited and assigned into the experimental group and the control group. One face-to-face intervention interview for energy conservation was conducted, followed by 20-minutes telephone brief counselling and assessment sessions, scheduled on day 1, 2, 7, and 14. Results: The scores for symptoms of median fatigue and pain in the experimental group were shown to be significantly reduced at the end of the study as compared to those scores within the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, scores for median sleep time and depression were greater at the end of cycle 1 and highest in cycle 2 (p<0.05, 0.001, respectively). Physical activity levels were also higher in the experimental group than in the control group in every cycle, with a statistical significance (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study intervention demonstrated an effectiveness for the reduction of cluster symptoms. Further studies would be needed in a larger population scale in the customary, randomized controlled trial manner. Keywords: Cancer; Energy conservation; Fatigue; Pain; Sleep; Telephone

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