NCT02986152

Brief Summary

The Cancer Distress Coach (CDC) mobile app is a symptom management tool for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in cancer patients and caregivers. Based largely on "PTSD Coach" from the National Center for PTSD, the CDC app was redesigned for both iOS and Android platforms and is tailored specifically to individuals impacted by cancer. This study aims to evaluate whether CDC app usage influences symptoms of PTSD through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where subjects are placed into either the intervention group or the wait-listed control group for a period of 8 weeks. The CDC app is available as a free download on the App Store® and on Google Play™.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
569

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2017

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 6, 2016

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 8, 2016

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2017

Completed
1.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 13, 2019

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 13, 2019

Completed
Last Updated

November 26, 2019

Status Verified

November 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

1.9 years

First QC Date

December 6, 2016

Last Update Submit

November 25, 2019

Conditions

Keywords

PTSDanxietydepressiondistressfearcopingsupportcaregiveroncologyappmobile app

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in PTSD symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)

    The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report symptom checklist that closely mirrors DSM-5 diagnoses criteria. The instructions will be modified so that symptoms are keyed to the particular traumatic stressor of interest; specifically, subjects will be asked to rate each PTSD symptom in the past 4 weeks with respect to their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

    Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in distress level as measured by the Distress Thermometer

    Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

  • Change in stress management self-efficacy as measured by the Self-efficacy questionnaire

    Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Feasibility as measured by satisfaction with the Cancer Distress Coach mobile app, as measured by the Feedback questionnaire

    Week 4, Week 8

Study Arms (2)

CDC Mobile App Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects who are randomized to the CDC mobile app treatment arm will be asked to perform the app's full suite of intervention tools such as learning about PTSD, assessment, finding support, and mind/body exercises (e.g., guided imagery, meditation, and relaxation exercises) over the entire 8-week study period.

Behavioral: Cancer Distress Coach Mobile App

CDC Mobile App Wait-List Control

OTHER

Subjects who are randomized to the CDC mobile app wait-list control arm will be asked to perform only the learning about PTSD, assessment, and finding support activities for the first 4 weeks. Following completion of the Week-4 questionnaires, subjects will then be asked to additionally perform the mind/body exercises (e.g., guided imagery, meditation, and relaxation exercises) for the duration of the 8-week study period.

Behavioral: Cancer Distress Coach Mobile App

Interventions

Cancer Distress Coach is a stand-alone symptom management tool with three basic components. The Learn about Distress module provides psycho-education. The Insights module includes an inspiring Quote of the Day, daily activity planning tips, a graph displaying the user's distress level plotted over time, and assessment feedback. The main action of the application is in the Activities module that provides patients with skills to manage their stress in the moment they experience it. Depending on the severity, the patient is routed to any of a number of helpful skills based on cognitive-behavioral principles. The stress management tools include positive imageries, soothing songs and pictures, and the Relax-Identify-Decide tool. Also included is "find support" and "get support now" to connect the user to his/her support network and locate informal cancer and non-cancer related support or (immediate) professional care.

Also known as: CDC Mobile App
CDC Mobile App TreatmentCDC Mobile App Wait-List Control

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Have been diagnosed with cancer or are/were a caregiver to someone with cancer
  • Resident of the United States of America
  • Able to read and write English
  • Age ≥ 18 years

You may not qualify if:

  • None

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-TraumaticNeoplasmsAnxiety DisordersDepressionAlzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersMental DisordersBehavioral SymptomsBehaviorDementiaBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesTauopathiesNeurodegenerative DiseasesNeurocognitive Disorders

Study Officials

  • Sophia K Smith, PhD, MSW

    Duke University School of Nursing

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 6, 2016

First Posted

December 8, 2016

Study Start

June 1, 2017

Primary Completion

April 13, 2019

Study Completion

April 13, 2019

Last Updated

November 26, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations