Understanding symptom clusters in cancer patients

Evolution and Management of a Psychoneurological Symptom Cluster in Patients Who Had a Breast Cancer or a Digestive Cancer

NA · University of Liege · NCT05867966

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

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment500 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Liege (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Liège)
Trial IDNCT05867966 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Liège

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cancer, Breast Cancer, Digestive Cancer, cancer, oncology, symptoms, quality of life, hypnosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.