MedPath

Enhancing Self Care Among Oral Cancer Survivors: The Empowered Survival Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Oropharyngeal Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer
Oral Cancer
Interventions
Other: Empowered Survivor Online
Other: Springboard Beyond Cancer
Other: Survey Administration
Registration Number
NCT04713449
Lead Sponsor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Brief Summary

Project's goal is evaluate an online tool the research team created called Empowered Survivor (ES) against a free online self-management intervention developed for cancer survivors by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society called Springboard Beyond Cancer.

Detailed Description

600 patients who have completed treatment between one and three years ago and are currently cancer-free will be recruited via the New Jersey State Cancer Registry or the Cancer Registry of Greater California and randomly assigned to ES or Springboard Beyond Cancer. Participants will complete measures at baseline, 2, and 6-months post-baseline. The investigators will also complete a process evaluation of Empowered Survivor.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
643
Inclusion Criteria
  • age > 18 years;
  • Diagnosed with a first primary invasive oral or oropharyngeal cancer between 1 and 3 years ago;
  • Currently cancer free (but can have experienced a recurrence);
  • Has internet access;
  • Read English;
  • Has sufficient vision to read a survey and complete an online intervention
Exclusion Criteria

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Empowered Survivor onlineSurvey AdministrationThe online intervention, called Empowered Survivor (ES) is a self-management intervention for patients with head and neck cancer. The intervention contains the following modules: Introduction; Difficulty Swallowing and Muscle Strength; Oral Care; Long-term Follow-Up Care/Oral exams; Calm and Connect; and Maintaining.
Empowered Survivor onlineEmpowered Survivor OnlineThe online intervention, called Empowered Survivor (ES) is a self-management intervention for patients with head and neck cancer. The intervention contains the following modules: Introduction; Difficulty Swallowing and Muscle Strength; Oral Care; Long-term Follow-Up Care/Oral exams; Calm and Connect; and Maintaining.
Springboard Beyond CancerSpringboard Beyond CancerSpringboard Beyond Cancer is a general resource for survivors of all cancer. It is a free self-management program for cancer survivors developed by trusted sources, the ACS and the NCI.
Springboard Beyond CancerSurvey AdministrationSpringboard Beyond Cancer is a general resource for survivors of all cancer. It is a free self-management program for cancer survivors developed by trusted sources, the ACS and the NCI.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Self-efficacy scoreBaseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

Change in self- efficacy measured with the Self-efficacy scale (22 items) which targets confidence in managing aspects of self-care (e.g., dry mouth, swallowing, oral self-exam, communicating with providers, emotions). Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention. Ratings range from 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (very confident). An item average will be calculated.

Preparedness for survivorshipBaseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

Change in preparedness for survivorship. The Preparedness for survivorship scale (10 items) developed by the investigator assesses whether information received about survivorship was sufficient, helpful, comprehensive, and covered self-care tasks. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). Higher score indicate better preparedness.

Quality of Life score measured using the The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)- Head and NeckBaseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

Change in QOL score over time. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire- Head and Neck-43. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire- Head and Neck-43 is the updated version of the EORTC H\&N 35, used in the researcher's pilot work. The EORTC QLQ-HN is the most widely-used measure of Head and Neck QOL. The investigators use the total score in analyses, but will evaluate subscales. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention. Items are rated on 1 (not at all)-4 (very much) Likert scale and higher scores indicate worse QOL.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Performance of exercises to improve swallowing, past month (yes/no)Baseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

One question asking participants if they have completed exercises to improve swallowing in the past month. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention.

Comprehensiveness is the number of areas checked (11 areas) during the oral self-examBaseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

Change in comprehensiveness of exams over time. 11 items will list the areas to check and ask participant to indicate Yes/No if the participant checked that area during the oral self-exam. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention.

Performance of head/neck exercises, past month (yes/no)Baseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

One question asking participants if they have completed head and neck exercises in the past month. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention.

Performance of oral self-exam, past monthBaseline, two and 6 months post-baseline

1 item asking the participant if he/she has performed an oral self-exam, past month. Yes/No. Administered at multiple time points to measure effect of the intervention.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

🇺🇸

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath