Psychological Intervention Using Smartphone Technology to Alleviate Malignant Pain

Overview

The purpose of this study is to develop and pilot test a novel medical intervention (STAMP+CBT app) that will help patients track their pain, mood, opioid use and side effects while delivering tailored education and self-management advice for patients with advanced cancer.

Full Title of Study: “Leveraging mHealth to Deliver Integrated Pain-CBT, Opioid Monitoring, and Self-management Support for Advanced Cancer Patients Coping With Chronic Pain (STAMP+CBT)”

Study Type

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Masking: None (Open Label)
• Study Primary Completion Date: October 2024

Detailed Description

The primary purpose of this project is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel mobile health application (STAMP+CBT app). The STAMP+CBT app (Smartphone Technology to Alleviate Malignant Pain + Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) seeks to provide education about pain medications alongside cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for pain to patients with advanced cancer. The application uses multi-media educational materials and survey algorithms assessing pain, medication usage, mood, stress, and sleep to improve pain management in this population. In this study, patients with advanced cancer at OU will participate in a single-arm, 6-week study of STAMP+CBT (4-week intervention period and a 2-week post-intervention period).

Interventions

• Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for pain
  • Patients participating in this study will have a 4-week intervention study period. During this time, based on the patient’s reported pain concerns in the surveys, these patients will be introduced to the extensive multi-media library of educational content related to pain management and pain-specific CBT concepts and algorithm-based advice in response to their daily pain and mood surveys.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

• Experimental: STAMP+CBT app
  • This app will allow the patient to access daily surveys designed to assess pain, stress, mood, and related symptoms. Based on patient-reported symptoms, this app will disseminate tailored education to manage the symptoms.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

• Proportion of patients who complete more than 2/3rd of the study modules at the end of 4 weeks of intervention to determine feasibility of the STAMP+CBT app
  • Time Frame: 4-weeks
  • Patients will be assigned surveys at baseline, 4-week intervention period and 2 weeks post intervention period (6 weeks from baseline). Based on that patient’s overall adherence rate/app retention rates will be calculated and intervention will be considered feasible if more than 70% of subjects complete complete any activity on the app at least 50% of days on study.
• Proportion of patients who rate the acceptability items 4 or higher on the app.
  • Time Frame: 6-weeks
  • Patients will be assigned surveys at baseline, 4-week intervention period and 2 weeks post intervention period (6 weeks from baseline). In response to the survey’s patient will be assigned tailored psychological intervention for advanced cancer pain. During the trial, these interventions will be considered acceptable only if 80% or more of the acceptability items are rated 4 or higher/5; Lower rating will lead to app refinements.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Cohort Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years – Patient diagnosed with an active cancer diagnosis (locally advanced solid tumor malignancy, multiple myeloma, or other advanced hematologic malignancy), either undergoing active treatment or receiving treatment for an advanced cancer or are receiving supportive care – Chronic pain related to cancer or treatment (> pain score of 4) – Has an active prescription for at least one opioid medication to treat their cancer pain (i.e. not for post-surgical pain) – Completed baseline survey Cohort Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients in survivorship: patients who have completed their treatment regimens, are not actively receiving treatment for an advanced cancer, or have a cancer that is in remission – Cognitive impairment that would interfere with study participation, as judged by treating clinician – Inability to speak English (the intervention has not yet been translated to Spanish) – Enrolled in hospice – Currently hospitalized – Use of transmucosal fentanyl, given safety concerns and ongoing risk mitigation program required to prescribe these (TIRF REMS) – Pain primarily related to a recent surgery (within the last 2 weeks) We will exclude adults who are unable to consent, individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers), pregnant women, and prisoners.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

• Lead Sponsor
  • University of Oklahoma
• Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
  • Sponsor
• Overall Official(s)
  • Desiree Azizoddin, PsyD, Principal Investigator, Stephenson Cancer Center
• Overall Contact(s)
  • Desiree Azizoddin, PsyD, 405.271.8001, Desiree-Azizoddin@ouhsc.edu