Preliminary feasibility and acceptability of an interdisciplinary, single-session, telehealth class for patients with cancer-related pain.

Authors

null

Desiree Rachel Azizoddin

Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Desiree Rachel Azizoddin, Sara Marie DeForge, Ashton Riley Baltazar, Beth Darnall, Kerry Bond, Raina Leckie, Jennifer Hardcopf Stagg, Blake T Hilton, Jordan M Neil, Ryan David Nipp, Robert R. Edwards

Organizations

Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, Department of Hematology & Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy for pain (pain-CBT) is the standard of care for pain management. However, few patients with cancer have access to this treatment. We developed a brief (90-minute), single-session, telehealth intervention that combines medical education (e.g., pain, opioids) with pain-CBT modified for patients with cancer. We sought to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of the class for patients with cancer-related pain. Methods: Adults with chronic, cancer-related pain (≥4/10) who were receiving or recently completed treatment (<3 months) self-enrolled or were recruited from Stephenson Cancer Center (SCC) in Oklahoma between January and June 2023. We excluded patients who did not speak English or who were experiencing cognitive impairment. After consent, patients completed a baseline survey and attended the 90-minute class offered once monthly on Zoom. Following attendance, the E-acceptability survey, with additional free-text feedback, and were invited to participate in a semi-structured qualitative interview. An initial benchmark for feasibility was set at ≥70% attendance. Results: While recruitment is still ongoing, 66 participants have consented; 22 (33%) withdrew due to being too ill, no longer having pain, or being a fraudulent sign-up (n = 4, 6%). Of the 44 (67%) remaining participants, 27 (61%) have attended the class; remaining participants are scheduled for future attendance. Participants were 68% female, 89% white, 55 (SD = 13.1) years of age, and diagnosed with various cancer types (gynecologic 32%, gastrointestinal 20%, head/neck 11%, etc.). Eleven participants (25%) lived in rural Oklahoma. Thirty (68%) participants were taking opioids (short-acting=57%, 48% long-acting=48%, both=36%). Average pain intensity (Brief Pain Inventory) was rated as 6.0/10 (SD = 1.9). Attendees rated their overall satisfaction with the class as 4.50/5. Participants enjoyed the class (4.15/5), reported learning about pain (4.23/5), and found the material useful (4.31/5) and helpful (4.12/5). Attendees found the class enjoyable and informational, with one stating, “this class [gave] me some tools to better manage my pain...and tools to be able to find help if I need it” (65-year-old, F). Conclusions: To date, participants’ attendance in this single-session, interdisciplinary, telehealth cancer pain class was below our feasibility benchmark, with many requesting to attend future sessions or withdrawing due to being too ill or being lost to follow up. However, among those who have attended the class, they reported very high acceptability and satisfaction. Using qualitative interview feedback, we will tailor the intervention (e.g. more cancer-specific examples, provide a recording) to improve accessibility to this scalable, comprehensive cancer pain education class.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B

Track

Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Palliative and Supportive Care

Sub Track

Palliative Care

Citation

JCO Oncol Pract 19, 2023 (suppl 11; abstr 251)

DOI

10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.251

Abstract #

251

Poster Bd #

H14

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

First Author: Sara Marie DeForge

First Author: Desiree Rachel Azizoddin

First Author: Desiree Rachel Azizoddin

First Author: Desiree Rachel Azizoddin