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The CARE Program: CAncer REhabilitation Pilot Study for Older Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cancer
Interventions
Other: Occupational and Physical Therapy
Registration Number
NCT02306252
Lead Sponsor
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Brief Summary

The CARE Program is a randomized trial of a cancer rehabilitation program designed to help older cancer patients who have shown to have a loss of function.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, two-arm, single-center randomized controlled pilot trial of a cancer rehabilitation program for older adults, titled the 'CARE program,' which is designed to maintain and/or improve functional status and quality of life in older adults diagnosed with cancer. Adults aged 65 years and older with cancer will be screened with a Geriatric Assessment (GA) for eligibility. Although breast cancer patients will be eligible, this study will focus primarily on other types of cancers. Adults with at least one functional deficit --defined as impairment in ability to perform activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive decline or balance -- will be randomized to either the intervention (CARE program) or to the control arm (Supportive care services information only). Both arms will receive a brochure about the supportive care program to provide patients who we've identified as having deficits with information about auxiliary services available and because the intent is to limit the difference between the groups. We hypothesize that patients who participate in the CARE program will maintain or improve functional status and quality of life when compared to supportive care services information only.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
67
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 65 years or older
  • Has an outpatient appointment within UNC Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Diagnosis of cancer within last two years.
  • Has a life expectancy of 12 months or longer. All cancer types are included.
  • English speaking
  • Willing to complete the UNC GA
  • Has at least one functional deficit as defined by GA screen
  • Understands study design, risks, and benefits and have signed informed consent
  • Willing to be randomized into either study arm
  • Ability to safely participate in outpatient rehabilitation program
Exclusion Criteria
  • Unable to safely participate in outpatient rehabilitation.
  • Currently receiving rehabilitation.
  • Any participant who has urologic cancer or is enrolled in a competing trial.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CARE InterventionOccupational and Physical TherapyThis group will be contacted to make an appointment for outpatient Occupational and Physical therapy. The therapist will determine the type, frequency and length of treatment. Follow up phone calls will be made to ensure appointments are made, kept and rescheduled as needed.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
To measure the change in Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) score from baseline to three months.3 months

Compare the change in NEADL scores from baseline to 3 months between patients who receive the CARE program (intervention) and those in the control arm.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
To measure the change in Activities of Daily Living from Baseline and 2 months2 months

As measured by the Geriatric Assessment

To measure the change in Activities of Daily Living from Baseline and 3 months3 months

As measured by the Geriatric Assessment

To measure the change in physical health from Baseline and 2 months2 months

As measured by the Geriatric Assessment

To measure the change in cognitive function from Baseline and 3 months3 months

As measured by the Blessed Memory Orientation Concentration test

To measure the change in quality of life from Baseline and 3 months3 months

As measured by the PROMIS assessment

To measure the change in internalized occupational possibilities from Baseline and 2 months2 months

As measured by the Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS)

To measure the change in quality of life from Baseline and 2 months2 months

As measured by the PROMIS assessment

To measure the change in internalized occupational possibilities from Baseline and 3 months3 months

As measured by the Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS)

To measure the change in upper extremity use and ability over the course of the study3 months

Intervention Group Only: As measured by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale

To measure the change in cognition over the course of the study3 months

Intervention Group Only: As measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

To measure the change in physical health from Baseline and 3 months3 months

As measured by the Geriatric Assessment

To measure the change in cognitive function from Baseline and 2 months2 months

As measured by the Blessed Memory Orientation Concentration test

To measure the feasibility of the CARE Program3 months

To describe the feasibility of the CARE program by reporting enrollment and retention as defined by (1) percent eligible who agree to participate (2) percent in each group that completed follow-up measures at 2 and 3 months and (3) percent of patients in CARE program who go to 70% of appointments.

To measure the change in balance over the course of the study3 months

Intervention Group Only: As measured by the Berg Balance Scale

To measure the change in dynamic gait ability over the course of the study3 months

Intervention Group Only: As measured by the Dynamic Gait Index

To measure satisfaction with the CARE Program3 months

To evaluate the program a short interview will be completed with CARE team to determine what worked well, what didn't and suggested changes/improvements for CARE program after completion of project.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of North Carolina

🇺🇸

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

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