Decision Support Training for Advanced Cancer Family Caregivers: The CASCADE Factorial Trial

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Mar 15, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The CASCADE Factorial Trial is a study designed to help family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer improve their decision-making skills. The goal is to find out which parts of a special training program are the most helpful for caregivers who support loved ones facing serious health issues. In this trial, 352 family caregivers will participate, and they may receive different types of training from a nurse coach, including lessons on effective communication and decision-making, as well as follow-up support over several months.

To join the study, caregivers need to be at least 21 years old and provide support to someone diagnosed with advanced cancer. They must also be able to speak English and agree to be a part of the study with the patient’s consent. Caregivers who have certain mental health conditions or other serious issues will not be eligible. Participants can expect to learn valuable skills to help them assist their loved ones in making informed medical decisions while also receiving ongoing support. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and everyone involved will contribute to finding better ways to support families during difficult times.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • FAMILY CAREGIVERS
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. ≥21 years of age;
• • 2. self-endorsing or identified by the patient as "a relative, friend, or partner that has a close relationship with you and who assists you with your medical decisions and who may or may not live in the same residence as you and who is not paid for their help";
• • 3. caring for a patient with advanced-stage cancer (see definition under Patient Inclusion criteria below);
• • 4. caregivers will need to have an agreeable patient willing to participate in the study for data collection; and
• • 5. English-speaking and able to complete baseline measures.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1) Self-reported mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder), dementia, active suicidal ideation, uncorrected hearing loss, or active substance abuse.
• • PATIENTS
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. ≥21 years of age;
• • 2. diagnosed within 60 days of initial screening with an advanced cancer, defined as metastatic and/or recurrent/progressive stage III/IV cancer, including brain, lung, breast, gynecologic, head and neck, gastrointestinal, genitourinary cancer, melanoma, and hematologic malignancies.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1) Medical record documentation of active severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder), dementia, active suicidal ideation, uncorrected hearing loss, or active substance abuse.