A Randomized Controlled Trial Using a Heuristic Tool To Improve Symptom Self-Management in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

Summary

Determine the effects of the Computerized Symptom Assessment Tool (C-SCAT) versus usual care on the primary outcomes of self-efficacy for symptom management and symptom self-management behaviors

Description

Eligibility

Age range

15–29 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Computerized Symptom Capture Tool (C-SCAT) Intervention

  The C-SCAT includes the 32 symptoms from the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Users select symptoms they have experienced over the past week, rate each symptom's severity and distress, and name a perceived cause. They then identify temporal and causal relationships between symptoms using lines and arrows, designate groups, i.e., "clusters" of symptoms, and give a name to each cluster. They are asked the reason for a symptom's designation as a priority symptom and what they do to alleviate that symptom. Next, they are asked to designate a priority cluster and finally, to confirm whether the image accurately reflects their symptom experience. Then, at the clinic visit, the AYA shares the visual image with the HCP, and more importantly, their priority symptoms, which can facilitate the symptom discussion. The C-SCAT intervention group will complete the C-SCAT prior to each of three encounters with their health care providers (HCPs).

• Behavioral
  Usual Care Control

  Usual care is defined as the usual approach to assessing symptoms during the HCP encounter. To provide attentional control to the usual care control group and prevent disproportionate attrition from that group, study staff will contact participants three times during the intervention period (approximately 3 months) when they are in for a scheduled clinic visit and communicate the following: 1) express appreciation for ongoing study participation; 2) ask how everything is going with their treatment; 3) ask if anything has changed with their treatment plan since the last study visit; and 4) confirm continued participation in the study.

Locations (5)