Web-Based Advance Care Planning for Patients With Advanced Cancer

NCT07712237 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: TSGHIRB No. A202305148TSGH_E_113274
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 110
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether a web-based advance care planning (ACP) intervention can reduce preferences for aggressive life-sustaining treatments among patients with advanced cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a web-based ACP intervention reduce preferences for aggressive life-sustaining treatments among patients with advanced cancer?
• Does a web-based ACP intervention support informed medical decision-making regarding future care? Researchers will compare a web-based ACP intervention plus a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet with a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet alone to determine whether the web-based ACP intervention is more effective in reducing preferences for aggressive life-sustaining treatments. Participants will:
• Be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group
• Receive either a web-based ACP educational program plus a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet, or a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet alone
• Complete questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one week after the intervention

Conditions

Advanced Cancer

Keywords

Advance Care Planning; Life-Sustaining Treatment; Medical Decision Making; Patient Right to Autonomy Act; Web-Based Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trial; End-of-Life Care; Patient Autonomy; Advance Directives

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Preference for Aggressive Life-Sustaining Treatments

  Preferences for aggressive life-sustaining treatments were assessed using the Life-Sustaining Treatment Preference Questionnaire. Higher scores indicate stronger preferences for aggressive life-sustaining treatments. Changes from baseline were compared between the intervention and control groups.

  Baseline and 1 Week After Intervention

Study Arms (2)

Web-Based ACP Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a web-based advance care planning (ACP) educational program in addition to a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet.

Behavioral: Web-Based Advance Care Planning Program; Other: Patient Right to Autonomy Act Leaflet

Control Group

OTHER

Participants received a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet only.

Other: Patient Right to Autonomy Act Leaflet

Interventions

Web-Based Advance Care Planning Program BEHAVIORAL

A web-based educational program designed to improve advance care planning knowledge, promote informed decision-making, and facilitate discussions regarding future medical care among patients with advanced cancer.

Web-Based ACP Intervention Group

Patient Right to Autonomy Act Leaflet OTHER

An educational leaflet providing information about the Patient Right to Autonomy Act and advance care planning.

Control Group; Web-Based ACP Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with advanced cancer (stage III or IV)
• Aged 18 years or older
• Able to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese
• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• No cognitive impairment
• Have access to Internet-connected electronic devices at home
• Have not previously received advance care planning (ACP) consultation
• Have not completed an advance directive (AD)

You may not qualify if:

• No access to Internet-connected electronic devices at home
• Unable to operate Internet-based electronic devices
• Previous participation in ACP consultation or completion of an AD
• Cognitive impairment
• Severe physical or psychological symptoms that would interfere with participation in the study
• Concurrent participation in another intervention study
• Refusal to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH): lead

Study Sites (1)

Tri-Service General Hospital

Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan

Location

Study Officials

• Hsueh-Hsing Pan, PhD

  National Defense Medical University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Yu-Shiue Lin

  National Defense Medical University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessment and data analysis were conducted by personnel blinded to group allocation. Investigators were not blinded because they were responsible for delivering the intervention and conducting study procedures. Because of the nature of the intervention, participants could identify their group assignment based on the educational materials they received.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a web-based advance care planning intervention group or a control group receiving a Patient Right to Autonomy Act leaflet alone.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 14, 2026
• First Posted: July 17, 2026
• Study Start: October 16, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 22, 2024
• Study Completion: January 22, 2024
• Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)