My Surgical Success: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of a Pre-surgical Psychological Intervention

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a remote, Internet-based, pre-surgical psychoeducational intervention delivered to patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery (compared to an active control group that receives health education).

Aim 1: Determine feasibility, satisfaction, and perceived utility of My Surgical Success.

Hypothesis 1: For My Surgical Success, the investigators anticipate 50% engagement in the study (feasibility). Of those who complete My Surgical Success we expect 80% satisfaction ratings, and 80% perceived utility of the information learned.

Aim 2: Determine group differences in within-subject pain catastrophizing scores (baseline - 0 to 48 hours before surgery).

Hypothesis 2: My Surgical Success participants evidence greater reduction in pain catastrophizing (measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PCS) compared to the HE Control group.

Aim 3: Determine group differences in time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation.

Hypothesis 3: My Surgical Success participants will evidence quicker time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation compared to the HE Control Group.

Aim 4: Determine group differences in post-surgical psychological correlates (PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, Function, Pain Interference, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Related Impairment, Anger, Fatigue, Global, Distress, and Pain Intensity).

Hypothesis 4: My Surgical Success participants will evidence greater post-surgical function and lower pain related interference compared to the HE Control Group.

The goal of this research is to advance our understanding regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of remote psychoeducation interventions and impact on post-surgical outcomes.

Pre-surgical patients are identified by their breast surgeon. The entire study is conducted remotely with no in-person contact with study staff. Study staff call patients and invite them to enroll in the study; informed consent is obtained online.

All participants are asked to provide baseline demographic information, as well as self-reported measures assessing mood, pain, cognitive and emotional responses to pain, catastrophizing, self-efficacy, and medications. All measures are administered via a secure, HIPAA compliant, online system (REDCap).

Participants are then randomized to either the Internet-based pain psychology intervention (My Surgical Success) or to brief online health education (HE Control). Prior to surgery, participants who have been randomized to the HE control group will receive patient handouts online about health and nutrition and are oriented that the information is relevant for improving recovery from surgery. The Internet-based pain psychology intervention emphasizes treatment content that targets pain catastrophizing. My Surgical Success includes a psychoeducational video, a downloadable audio file, and a downloadable PDF Personalized Plan for Success. After viewing the online treatment video, participants randomized to My Surgical Success complete questions regarding participant satisfaction with the video, perceived usefulness of information, and likelihood to use the skills learned. Pain catastrophizing scores are collected from all study participants prior to surgery. All participants are tracked daily post-surgically to assess pain, opioid use, distress, and use of skills learned from treatment; data are captured daily for 30 days, then weekly for 2 weeks, then every 2 weeks for 4 weeks to pain and opioid cessation (or the end of 12 weeks). Psychosocial data are collected post-surgically at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12.

Post-treatment questions:

Participants in the My Surgical Success group complete the following questions at the end of the video: how understandable the video was, its relevance, usefulness, their satisfaction, how likely they are to use the information, and what they learned from the video.

Participants in HE Control are asked how understandable the health information packet was, its relevance, usefulness, their satisfaction, how likely they are to use the information, and what they learned from the packet.

The pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) is administered following treatment and before surgery to all participants.

Following surgery, all participants fill out online daily measures to assess pain and medication use. Daily measures continue until the participant reports 3 consecutive reports of zero average pain and zero opiate use and has indicated they have recovered from surgery. Until reaching this endpoint, daily measures are collected for 30 days, then bi-weekly for an additional 2 weeks, and then weekly for a period of between 2-6 additional weeks.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18+
* Scheduled for breast cancer surgery
* English speaking
* Ability and willingness to complete study procedures including online questionnaires, assessments, and the psychoeducational video

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any conditions causing inability to complete study procedures (e.g. education, cognitive ability, mental status, medical status) or lack of access to internet and phone that would prevent participation in study procedures - at the discretion of the investigator.
* Known pregnancy
* Ongoing legal action related to pain or disability claim