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Clinical Trials/NCT07260227
NCT07260227
Not yet recruiting
Not Applicable

Influence of a PSychological Intensive Support Program for Lung Cancer Patients ON Post-operative Outcomes: a Prospective Clinical Trial (IPSILON Trial).

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS0 sites138 target enrollmentStarted: December 1, 2025Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Not yet recruiting
Enrollment
138
Primary Endpoint
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS

Overview

Brief Summary

Anxiety is common among patients diagnosed with lung cancer, affecting 50-60% of cases, and over 30% report moderate to severe psychological distress. This distress includes symptoms such as depression, anxiety and social withdrawal. The waiting period before lung resection often heightens emotional tension due to fears about reduced respiratory function and postoperative dyspnea. Persistent anxiety may continue during follow-up because of the risk of recurrence and the potential need for adjuvant therapy. Previous studies have shown that high perioperative anxiety is associated with longer hospitalization, increased complications, particularly delirium and cardiac arrhythmias, and poorer adherence to treatment.

This study aims to assess whether a brief, intensive preoperative psychological intervention reduces anxiety levels in lung cancer patients, measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores of 0-7 indicate normal levels, ≥ 8 probable anxiety or depression. Additional tools include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) (0-7 no insomnia, 8-14 subthreshold, 15-21 moderate, 22-28 severe). At hospital discharge, patients were invited to complete a questionnaire about satisfaction. Measurement of psychological test will be collected at the first visit (T0), the day before surgery (T1) and 30 day after surgery (T3); VAS and ISI measurements were collected at T1, the day after surgery (T2) and 30 day after surgery (T3).

Patients are divided into three groups: an intervention group receiving four weekly 45-minute psychological sessions, a pathological control group refusing support, and a healthy control group without anxiety. Primary outcomes are changes in HADS scores between T0 and T1; secondary outcomes include complications, pain, insomnia, length of stay, and patient satisfaction. The study is a twelve-month prospective controlled trial with an estimated 46 patients per group

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non Randomized
Intervention Model
Single Group
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • age more than 18
  • candidate to thoracic resection for lung cancer with radical intent
  • consent to participate in the research study.

Exclusion Criteria

  • synchronous cancer requiring chemo or radiotherapy
  • history of chronic pain, vulnerable patients (e.g., minors and/or incapacitated subjects)
  • patients with severe psychiatric conditions (psychosis and/or personality disorders).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS

Time Frame: 1 day

The primary endpoint is the reduction in anxiety and depression as measured by the subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) between T0 and T1 among the study groups.

Secondary Outcomes

  • evaluation of the incidence of complications(1 month)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Sponsor

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