Half of all cancer patients experience cachexia, with the prevalence rising above 80% in the last weeks of life. The cancer cachexia is a complex relational experience which involves the dyads patients-families. There are no studies on psychosocial interventions on dyads associated with rehabilitative interventions, to support more functional relationships to the management of cancer cachexia. Primary objective: to evaluate the feasibility of a psycho-educational intervention combined with a physiotherapy intervention on the dyads. Secondary objective: improvement of the Quality of Life of dyads, acceptability of the intervention, adherence to each of the two components. Methods: non-pharmacological interventional perspective, mixed-method study, addressed to a consecutive 30 cancer patients with cachexia and irreversible cachexia and their caregivers assisted by Hospital Palliative Care Unit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Psycho-educational session: 3 weekly face-to-face consultations between a dyads and trained nurses, helping them to cope with cancer cachexia strengthening dyadic coping resources; 2) Rehabilitation program: 3 sessions with physiotherapists including educational component for patients self-management on physical activity and goal-setting, personalized program of exercises stretching and relaxation + 3 home sessions per week, self-managed by dyads.
Loredana Buonaccorso
Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Feasibility of the intervention
The proportion of number of dyads who completed the intervention / involved dyads will be evaluated. Compliance will be assessed for each individual component (psycho-social and rehabilitative intervention). The overall intervention will be evaluated feasible if there is compliance greater than or equal to 50 percent to both interventions.
Time frame: After 2 months
Functional Assessment of Anorexia-Cachexia Therapy (FAACT)
Evaluation of anorexia-cachexia related distress. Each item is scored 0-4 (0=Not at all; 4= Very much). Higher scores indicating greater quality of life.
Time frame: After 1 months
Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)
Measurement of the caregiver's perceived burden of providing family. Each item is scored 0-4 (0=Never; 4=Nearly always). Total score ranging: 0-88. Higher scores indicating greater burden.
Time frame: After 1 months
Hand-Grip Strenght Test
Measurement of isometric muscle strength of the patient's upper limbs. The best out of three attempts is accounted for.
Time frame: After 2 months
30 seconds sit-to stand test
Evaluation of functionally the strength of the lower limbs. The test counts the number of times the patient can get up from a chair without arms within a period of 30 second.
Time frame: After 2 months
Ad-hoc semi-structured interviews aimed at the dyad
Qualitative evaluation of the perception of the benefits, good adherence to the intervention or difficulties.
Time frame: After 2 months
Ad hoc semi-structured interviews with nurses and physiotherapists
Qualitative evaluation of the perception of the benefits or difficulties during the intervention.
Time frame: After 2 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.