Partner Assistance in Learning and Performing Skin Self-Examination

Northwestern University130 enrolled

Overview

This study is a behavioral science study designed to identify aspects of the dyadic relationship that promote Skin Self-Examination (SSE) in patients at high risk of developing melanoma. The patient is randomized to receive the educational intervention either as a solo learner or with the partner.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

130

Conditions

Melanoma

Interventions

Skin Self Examination Information and ABCDE RuleBEHAVIORAL

Card with condensed information about skin self examination (SSE) and color illustrations of the ABCDE (asymmetry of shape, border irregularity, color variation, diameter \> or equal to 6 mm, and evolution of the lesion) rule. A research assistant gave a skill demonstration using a magnifying lens.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Personal or family history of melanoma. If a personal history of melanoma, the patient was treated at least 1 month ago * Evidence of dysplastic nevus syndrome or a large number of moles (Greater than 50) * Able to see to read a newspaper, can read at an eighth grade level * Speaks English * 18 to 70 years old with a spouse or cohabitating partner Exclusion Criteria: * Under 18 years of age * Patient overburden by other co-morbid diseases such as chronic immunosuppression from organ transplantation * Have insufficient vision to to read a newspaper * Unable to read English * Have insufficient cognitive skills to follow instructions provided at an eighth grade language level

Locations (3)

Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Loyola University

Maywood, Illinois, United States

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mean Number of Skin Examinations Without Partner Over 4 Months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants examined their skin in the last 4 months.

Time frame: 4 months

Mean Number of Skin Examinations With Partner Over 4 Months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants examined their skin with a partner in the last 4 months.

Time frame: 4 months

Mean Number of Times Reviewed Skin Self Examination Guidelines Over 4 Months

Behavioral outcome was measured by assessing the number of times that participants reviewed skin self examination guidelines in the last 4 months.

Time frame: 4 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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