Internet-based Support for Informal Caregivers of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer - Carer eSupport

Uppsala University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Head and Neck Cancer

Treatments: Other: Carer eSupport

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06307418

Carer eSupport RCT

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of internet-based support (Carer eSupport) on preparedness for caregiving in informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

• What are the effects of internet-based support on informal caregivers preparedness for caregiving?
• What are the effects of internet-based support on informal caregivers burden and wellbeing?

Informal caregivers who are randomized to Carer eSupport will have access to Carer eSupport for 18 weeks and they will be asked to complete questionnaires (outcome measures) at:

• baseline (before randomization)
• 18 weeks (post-intervention) and at
• 3 months after the intervention is completed (long term follow-up).

Informal caregivers in the intervention group will be compared to informal caregivers who receive standard care support regarding preparedness for caregiving, caregiver burden and wellbeing.

Enrollment: 110 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Informal caregivers who have been identified as an informal caregiver by a patient who have consented to that the informal caregivers is approached.
• Informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer who are about to start radiotherapy or have undergone at most five radiotherapy treatment session. Radiotherapy may be combined with surgery and/or medical oncological treatment.

Exclusion criteria

• Informal caregivers who do not understand and read Swedish or suffer from cognitive impairment, and informal caregivers with who need support or treatment that cannot be provided by Carer eSupport.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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110 participants in 2 patient groups

Internet-based support (Carer eSupport)

Experimental group

Description:

The internet-based support is developed in collaboration with clinical expertise within head and neck cancer care and an expert group of informal caregivers to patients with head and neck cancer. The support comprise text, lectures, films, discussion forum and real-time video meetings with clinical experts. The support will last for 18 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Carer eSupport

Support as usual

No Intervention group

Description:

Support as usual comprise a possibility for informal caregivers to contact a specified nurse with expertise in head and neck , at the head and neck or oncology clinic, to ask for support. Healthcare counsellors at the clinics is also available for ICs on request. Group support providing emotional and social support for ICs to patients with various cancer diagnoses may also be arranged at the clinics occasionally. Also, the Swedish healthcare is always responsible for recognizing the need for support for children (\< 18 years) of patients with cancer.