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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 11/2015

Open Access 01-11-2015 | Original Article

Management of the respiratory distress symptom cluster in lung cancer: a randomised controlled feasibility trial

Authors: Janelle Yorke, Mari Lloyd-Williams, Jacky Smith, Fiona Blackhall, Amelie Harle, June Warden, Jackie Ellis, Mark Pilling, Jemma Haines, Karen Luker, Alex Molassiotis

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 11/2015

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Abstract

Background

Breathlessness, cough and fatigue are distressing symptoms for patients with lung cancer. There is evidence that these three symptoms form a discreet symptom cluster. This study aimed to feasibly test a new non-pharmacological intervention for the management of the Respiratory Distress Symptom Cluster (breathlessness-cough-fatigue) in lung cancer.

Method

This was a multi-centre, randomised controlled non-blinded parallel group feasibility trial. Eligible patients (patients with primary lung cancer and ‘bothered’ by at least two of the three cluster symptoms) received usual care plus a multicomponent intervention delivered over two intervention training sessions and a follow-up telephone call or usual care only. Follow-up was for 12 weeks, and end-points included six numerical rating scales for breathlessness severity, Dyspnoea-12, Manchester Cough in Lung Cancer scale, FACIT-Fatigue scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Lung Cancer Symptom Scale and the EQ-5D-3L, collected at baseline, week 4 and week 12.

Results

One hundred seven patients were randomised over 8 months; however, six were removed from further analysis due to protocol violations (intervention group n = 50 and control group n = 51). Of the ineligible patients (n = 608), 29 % reported either not experiencing two or more symptoms or not being ‘bothered’ by at least two symptoms. There was 29 % drop-out by week 4, and by week 12, a further two patients in the control group were lost to follow-up. A sample size calculation indicated that 122 patients per arm would be needed to detect a clinically important difference in the main outcome for breathlessness, cough and fatigue.

Conclusions

The study has provided evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of a new intervention in the lung cancer population and warrants a fully powered trial before we reach any conclusions. The follow-on trial will test the hypothesis that the intervention improves symptom cluster of breathlessness, cough and fatigue better than usual care alone. Full economic evaluation will be conducted in the main trial.
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Metadata
Title
Management of the respiratory distress symptom cluster in lung cancer: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors
Janelle Yorke
Mari Lloyd-Williams
Jacky Smith
Fiona Blackhall
Amelie Harle
June Warden
Jackie Ellis
Mark Pilling
Jemma Haines
Karen Luker
Alex Molassiotis
Publication date
01-11-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 11/2015
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2810-x

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