Understanding symptom clusters in cancer patients
Official title: Evolution and Management of a Psychoneurological Symptom Cluster in Patients Who Had a Breast Cancer or a Digestive Cancer
Run by University of Liege · NCT05867966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to understand how different symptoms like fatigue and pain are connected in breast and digestive cancer patients, and will offer them new ways to feel better based on what they find.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Liege Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Liège) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 16, 2024 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 21, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05867966 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with non-metastatic breast or digestive cancer who have completed active treatment within the last five years.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of severe psychiatric disorders or substance abuse may not benefit from this study due to the nature of the interventions.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the complex relationships between various psychoneurological symptoms experienced by patients with breast and digestive cancers, such as fatigue, sleep difficulties, pain, emotional distress, and cognitive issues. Using network analysis, the study aims to identify how these symptoms interact and differ based on cancer type and treatment stage. Participants will engage in psychoeducational and self-hypnosis interventions designed to improve their quality of life by targeting the core symptoms identified in the analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of cancer-related symptoms, enhancing patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using network analysis in this context may be novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding symptom clusters in oncology.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion critera for WP1: * Diagnosis of non-metastatic breast cancer, or digestive cancer (i.e., anal, colorectal, gastric, esophageal, liver, pancreatic cancers). * ≥ 18 years old. * No history of cancer, and not currently in relapse. * Having completed the active treatments (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) for 5 years maximum, based on the methodology and recommendations of studies on symptom clusters in oncology Additional inclusion criteria for WP2: * No history of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, dissociative episodes) or substance abuse (to avoid severe dissociation during hypnosis). * Score ≥ 4 for the core symptom selected to design the intervention, as suggest by previous interventional studies, and measured on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10.
Where it's running
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University of Liège
Liège, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Charlotte GREGOIRE, PhD — University of Liege
- Study coordinator: Charlotte GREGOIRE, PhD
- Email: ch.gregoire@uliege.be
- Phone: +3243662986
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.