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Single early palliative care intervention added to usual oncology care for patients with advanced cancer: A randomized controlled trial (SENS Trial)

Authors :
Monica Fliedner
Peter Jüni
Martin F. Fey
Maud Maessen
Daniel M. Aebersold
Drahomir Aujesky
Steffen Eychmüller
Susanne Zwahlen
Sven Trelle
Health Services Research
RS: CAPHRI - R1 - Ageing and Long-Term Care
Source :
Palliative Medicine, 35(6):02692163211005340, 1108-1117. SAGE Publications Ltd
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Background: International oncology societies recommend early palliative care. Specific models to integrate early palliative care efficiently into clinical practice are debated. The authors designed a study to look at the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of an early palliative care intervention in oncological care to decrease stress and improve quality of life. Aims: To compare a single structured early palliative care intervention added to a usual oncology care in terms of distress and health-related quality of life at baseline compared to 6 months after enrollment. Design: This multicenter randomized controlled trial (NCT01983956) enrolled adult patients with advanced cancer. Participants were either randomly assigned to usual oncology care alone or usual care plus a structured early palliative care intervention. Setting/participants: One hundred fifty adult patients with a variety of advanced cancer diagnoses were randomized. Seventy-four participants were in the intervention and 76 participants in the control group. The primary outcome was the change in patient distress assessed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress thermometer at 6 months. Health-related quality of life, the secondary outcome, was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General Questionnaire. Results: The results showed no significant effect of the early palliative care intervention neither on patient distress nor on health-related quality of life. Conclusion: The addition of an early intervention to usual care for patients with advanced cancer did not improve distress or quality of life. Thus, patients may need more intensive early palliative care with continuous professional support to identify and address their palliative needs early.

Details

ISSN :
1477030X and 02692163
Volume :
35
Issue :
6
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Palliative medicine
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....068568795175cebb207d1f7464999e39