Psychosocial Needs and Exploration of Online Support for Patients With Mesothelioma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to learn about how mesothelioma affects patients' emotional and physical well-being. Also, the investigators would like to learn more about what patients need and how they deal with this illness. This information can help us find ways to lessen physical and emotional strains. Part of the study tests an alternate way of giving emotional support through the Internet. By providing support online, patients can participate in the comfort of their home.

Official Title
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Mesothelioma From a Patient Perspective: A Survey of Psychosocial Needs and Exploration of Online Support for Patients

Conditions
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Mesothelioma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Questionnaires & online virtual support group
* Behavioral: Questionnaires & online virtual support group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma and receiving care at MSKCC At least 18 years of age or older Able to read and speak English Patients who choose to participate in the Internet-based discussion groups, need a telephone, a computer, Internet access, and an e-mail account. Exclusion Criteria: Significant psychiatric or cognitive disturbance sufficient, in the investigator's judgment, to preclude providing informed consent or participating in a group-format intervention (i.e., acute psychiatric symptoms which require individual treatment).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Surgical group with mesothelioma<br>The study proposed here has two parts: part 1 surveys mesothelioma patients' psychological and physical symptom burden and quality of life through a set of questionnaires that covers topics including coping, interpersonal support, mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life. In part 2, patients are invited to participate in an Internet-based discussion group. | Behavioral: Questionnaires & online virtual support group<br>* Part 1 surveys mesothelioma patients' psychological and physical symptom burden and quality of life by administering a set of questionnaires that covers topics including coping, interpersonal support, mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life. All mesothelioma patients who complete the questionnaires in part 1 will be offered an opportunity to participate in a trial of a therapeutic Internet-based discussion group. The groups will consist of either approximately 3-5 surgical patients or approximately 3-5 non-surgical patients. The groups will run for approximately 60 minutes once a week for six consecutive weeks.<br>|
| Experimental: Non Surgical group with mesothelioma<br>The study proposed here has two parts: part 1 surveys mesothelioma patients' psychological and physical symptom burden and quality of life through a set of questionnaires that covers topics including coping, interpersonal support, mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life. In part 2, patients are invited to participate in an Internet-based discussion group | Behavioral: Questionnaires & online virtual support group<br>* Part 1 surveys mesothelioma patients' psychological and physical symptom burden and quality of life by administering a set of questionnaires that covers topics including coping, interpersonal support, mood, anxiety, and overall quality of life. All mesothelioma patients who complete the questionnaires in part 1 will be offered an opportunity to participate in a trial of a therapeutic Internet-based discussion group. The groups will consist of either 3-5 surgical patients or 3-5 non-surgical patients. The groups will run for approximately 60 minutes once a week for six consecutive weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To describe the psychological needs of patients with mesothelioma. | Patients'psychological symptom burden will be assessed by the set of questionnaires administered in part 1 of the study. scores of the assessments of coping (28-item Brief Cope), social support (6-item SSQ-SF), depressive symptoms (20-item Zung), and quality of life (36-item FACT-Lung). | 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the aim is to explore the acceptability and promise of an Internet-based discussion group for patients with mesothelioma. | The investigators will summarize acceptability and gather pilot data on the promise of the intervention. Acceptability in this study will be assessed through the enrollment rate (percentage of eligible individuals consented and recruited into the Internet-based discussion group). The adherence rate will be the percentage of enrolled patients who complete all virtual group sessions. | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Quality of life, support group, questionnaires, Internet-based support group, 11-066