Pilot Testing of a Nurse-Led Basic Symptom Self-management Support for Patients Receiving First-Line Systemic...

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Symptom Management
• Clinical Trial Design

Background:

• The Symptom Navi Program (SNP) is a nurse-led intervention designed for basic symptom self-management in cancer patients.
• The program has shown acceptance among both patients and healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot the Symptom Navi Program (SNP).
• To evaluate patient-reported symptom outcomes, nursing support for symptom management, and patient safety.
• To assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of the SNP in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

• A cluster-randomized design was employed, randomizing centers to either the SNP intervention or usual care.
• Adult patients initiating first-line systemic cancer treatment were included in the study.
• Primary outcome: change in symptom interference with daily functions; Secondary outcomes: symptom severity, burden, self-efficacy, perceived support, and patient safety.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in symptom interference with daily functions between the SNP and control groups at 16 weeks.
• Secondary outcomes, including symptom severity, burden, self-efficacy, and perceived support, also showed no significant differences between groups.
• No adverse events were reported during the study, indicating patient safety.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings suggest the SNP did not significantly impact patient-reported symptom outcomes, self-efficacy, or symptom management support.
• Potential reasons for the lack of observed effect include inadequate statistical power and specific SNP components, such as insufficient training and limited follow-up consultations.
• The study highlights the need to reconsider the SNP's training content and intervention procedures to enhance its effectiveness.