Expanding Rural Access: Distance Delivery of Support

Breast Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title:

Expanding Rural Access: Distance Delivery of Support

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00186511
• Other study ID #: 10AB-2801
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: September 13, 2005
• Last updated: December 4, 2006
• Start date: November 2004
• Est. completion date: June 2006

Study information

• Verified date: December 2006
• Source: Stanford University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The major goal of this project is to test the feasibility and acceptability of using videoconferencing to provide support groups led by trained facilitators to rural women with breast cancer in northern California.

Description:

Women with breast cancer in rural areas are likely exhaust their usual sources of psychosocial support while still facing challenges posed by breast cancer, but are unlikely to have access to professionally-led support groups. In this community-based project, we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of providing support groups to women with breast cancer in a large rural area using videoconferencing and a workbook journal, and we assessed the intervention’s potential to reduce distress and increase emotional expression and self-efficacy for coping with cancer. Twenty-seven women in the Intermountain Region of northeastern California participated in 8-session support groups led by an oncology social worker by going to nearby videoconferencing sites. Feasibility and acceptability were demonstrated. Older as well as younger women were comfortable using videoconferencing and said the groups were valuable because they promoted information sharing and emotional bonds with other women with breast cancer. They emphasized the importance of a professional facilitator and identified advantages of using videoconferencing for support groups. Pretest and posttest comparisons showed significant decreases in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. The results suggest that the intervention has the potential to provide a valuable service that is not readily available in rural communities.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 40
• Est. completion date: June 2006
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 21 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 2) is a woman

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1) under 21 years of age, and 2) does not speak and read English

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Breast Cancer
• Depression
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic

Intervention

Behavioral:
• workbook/journal on coping with breast cancer

• supportive expressive group therapy using videoconferencing

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Stanford University	Stanford	California

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Stanford University	University of California, Berkeley

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale
Primary	Posttraumatic Stress Checklist
Secondary	Cancer Behavior Inventory
Secondary	Courtauld Emotional Control Scale