A serious game to help women with advanced cancer advocate for their health
Efficacy of a Self-advocacy Serious Game Intervention for Women With Advanced Cancer
This study is testing a new game designed to help women with advanced cancer learn how to better advocate for their health and communicate with their doctors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 336 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT04813276 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This intervention aims to enhance self-advocacy skills among women diagnosed with advanced solid organ cancer through a serious game platform called Strong Together. The game is designed to engage users in interactive scenarios that reflect their personal experiences, providing them with relevant information and skills to manage their cancer-related challenges effectively. By focusing on patient-centered care, the study seeks to empower participants to make informed healthcare decisions and communicate effectively with their healthcare providers. The intervention consists of multiple sessions that combine gameplay with educational content to foster behavior change and improve quality of life.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with advanced solid organ cancer and are currently receiving non-curative treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are on hospice care or have impaired cognition may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the quality of life and self-management skills of women with advanced cancer.
How similar studies have performed: While interventions to teach self-advocacy are limited, the use of serious games in health interventions has shown promise in other studies, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * ≥18 years * Diagnosed with advanced solid organ cancer within the past 6 months being treated with non-curative intent * Have at least a 6-month life expectancy (as determined by their oncologist) * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0 to 2 (per health record or oncologist) * Able to read and write in English Exclusion Criteria: * On hospice at the time of recruitment * Impaired cognition (per health record) * Other active, unstable mental health disorder
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Teresa H Thomas, PhD, RN
- Email: t.thomas@pitt.edu
- Phone: 4126243799
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.