The purpose of this phase III parallel-group randomized controlled trial is to assess the efficacy of open dialogue about complementary alternative medicine integrated in conventional oncology care (ODC-COC). The investigators hypothesize that patients in the intervention group participating in an ODC-COC with a nurse specialist report better quality of life compared to patients in the control group receiving standard care alone.
Patients randomized to the intervention group will participate in a scheduled ODC-COC with a specialist nurse, who has completed the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. This is a training program for health professionals in empowering individuals and communities to optimize health and well-being through evidence-based, sustainable and integrative approaches. The ODC-COC will be based on the fundamentals of person-centered care according to this program and include patient preferences and wishes, reliable information and counselling and advice about the potential risks and benefits of using complementary alternative medicine as an adjunct to conventional oncology care. The dialogue lasts approximately 60 minutes and will take place as soon as possible and no later than two weeks after enrolment. The same nurse will conduct all dialogues. According to patient needs and wishes there may be a follow-up dialogue over the telephone or in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic. The potential second dialogue is estimated to last approximately 30 minutes. Participants in the control group will receive standard information including reference to www.KABcancer.dk, which is a website presenting research on CAM, including information about its potential effects and outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
210
1-hour dialogue about CAM with a nurse specialist as an integrated part of conventional oncology care
Vejle Hospital
Vejle, Denmark
Difference in patient reported quality of life between the two arms at 8 weeks as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ CAT core)
This instrument lists individually tailored questions assessing quality of life, including functional scales, symptom scales, global health status, and psychosocial scales.
Time frame: 8 weeks after enrollment
Difference in patient reported quality of life between the two arms at 12 and 24 weeks as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ CAT Core).
This instrument lists individually tailored questions assessing quality of life, including functional scales, symptom scales, global health status, and psychosocial scales.
Time frame: At baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks
Difference in patient reported level of depression and anxiety between the two arms as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
With 14 questions this instrument assesses the symptom severity and caseness of anxiety disorders and depression.
Time frame: At baseline and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after enrollment
Difference in patient reported top concerns in the two arms as measured by the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW) questionnaire.
This instrument assesses the level of severity of the two most pressing concerns and present overall well-being
Time frame: At baseline and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after enrollment
Difference in patient reported decision regret in the two arms as measured by the Decision Regret Scale (DRS).
This instrument consists of 5 items elucidating if regret is present, whether the decision is the right one, and whether the patient would make the same decision again.
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Time frame: At baseline and 8 weeks after enrollment
Difference in overall survival between the two arms
Kaplan-Meier survival analysis
Time frame: 12 months after enrollment of last patient