Effects of a Group Residential Retreat on Cancer Outcomes

July 29, 2016 updated by: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The goal of this behavioral research study is to compare 2 different types of residential group programs to help researchers learn if and how well these groups may help to improve physical and emotional well-being in patients with stage IV breast cancer.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Withdrawn

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Baseline Visit:

Signing this consent form does not mean that you will be able to take part in this study. The following baseline tests will help the doctor decide if you are eligible:

  • You will complete 7 questionnaires about your mood, sleep, fatigue, how you have been feeling, and your general quality of life. The questionnaires should take about 60-80 minutes to complete.
  • You will have an electroencephalogram (EEG) to check your brain's electrical activity. During the EEG, a snug cap with small electrodes will be placed on your head to measure the electrical patterns coming from the brain. This is like the way a doctor listens to your heart from the surface of your skin. During the EEG, you will complete 3 tests to check your attention, short-term memory, and levels of emotions on the computer. The study staff will discuss each test in more detail with you. The EEG and tests will take about 45-60 minutes total.
  • If you have not had a computed tomography (CT) scan in the last 2 months, you will have one performed to check the status of the disease. If you have had one in the last 2 months, the results will be collected from your medical records.
  • You will have an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart function.
  • Blood (about 6 tablespoons) will be drawn for tests to measure hormones and your immune system responses. You will need to fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for 12 hours before this blood draw. You will be provided with healthy snacks after your blood draw.

The day after your baseline visit, saliva will be collected to measure the level of cortisol (a type of stress hormone) in your body. These saliva samples will be collected 4 times each day for 3 days in a row. You will collect these samples at home when you first wake up, about 45 minutes later, about 10 hours after waking up, and then at bedtime. To collect each saliva sample, you will chew on a cotton ball for a few seconds and then put the cotton in a small plastic tube. You will write down the times you took these samples. You will mail these samples back to MD Anderson in postage-paid envelopes that will be provided to you. The tubes will also be provided at no cost to you. These saliva samples will be destroyed after being studied.

Every day for the next 7 days after your baseline visit, you will fill out a diary about your sleeping habits. You will also wear a special type of wrist watch for these 7 days. The watch will collect data about your physical activity and sleeping habits. After you have worn it for 7 days, you will mail the watch and the sleep diary back to MD Anderson in postage-paid envelopes that will be provided to you.

Extended Baseline:

You will be asked to complete and provide all the same measures again 1 month after the first baseline visit.

Study Groups:

If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study and you agree, you will be randomly assigned (as in the roll of dice) to 1 of 3 study groups. This is done because no one knows if one study group is better, the same, or worse than the other group.

  • If you are assigned to Groups 1 or 2, you will take part in 1 of 2 types of residential group programs.
  • If you are assigned to Group 3, you will receive standard cancer care without any participation in a residential group program.

If you are assigned to Groups 1 or 2, neither you nor the study staff will know what kind of residential group program you are in.

Residential Support Program Sessions (Groups 1 and 2 only):

You will take part in a 7-day offsite, residential support program in groups of about 10 participants each. On Day 5 of the retreat, you will be joined by your spouse or caregiver.

During the 7 days, you will take part in group activities, learn relaxation skills, do different cognitive activities (for example, reading, watching movies, and having group discussions), and learn about mind-body connections. You will spend 7 days and 6 nights at the residential retreat. Activities at the retreat will last about 12 hours per day with breaks, group meals, and free time to rest in the morning, afternoon and evening, or as needed.

At least 1 week before the retreat, you will be given a detailed agenda and schedule of all activities that will occur during the retreat.

Follow-Up Sessions (All Groups):

You will complete the same tests/procedures that were performed at the baseline visit within 7 days after the residential program ends and then again about 3 months later. If you are in Group 3, you will complete the same tests/procedures on the same schedule.

Length of Participation:

Your participation on this study will be over after you complete the follow-up sessions.

Depending on which study group you were assigned to, you may be able to take part in a residential program that you did NOT previously take part in. The study chair or research staff will discuss this option with you.

This is an investigational study.

Up to 100 participants and their caregivers will take part in this multicenter study. Up to 74 will be enrolled at MD Anderson.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

50 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Women aged 50 and over initially diagnosed with breast cancer by histological tissue diagnosis in 2003 or later.
  2. Currently Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer on the basis of definitive imaging or biopsy with stable disease (scans within the past 2 months).
  3. ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Group) Performance Score of 0 or 1.
  4. Able to participate occasionally in mildly strenuous physical effort.
  5. Able to read, speak, and write in English or ability to provide consent or understand questionnaires.
  6. Able to be accompanied by their spouse or significant other partner/friend (spouse, significant other, partner, or friend.
  7. Able to travel to the retreat site.
  8. Must be right handed.
  9. Patients must have had a contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen within 2 months of study entry and be willing to have a follow up scan within 2 months of the completion of the retreat.
  10. (CAREGIVERS ONLY) Must be primary caregiver of the patient.
  11. (CAREGIVERS ONLY) Able to read, speak, and write in English.
  12. (CAREGIVERS ONLY) Able to attend the last two days of the retreat with patient.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Significant co-morbidities (e.g., diabetes, cardiac disease, or other condition that in the opinion of the primary physician or investigators would limit participation in the intervention groups) that would preclude study participation.
  2. Evidence of disease progression that would necessitate a treatment in the next 2 weeks.
  3. Need for intravenous therapy more frequently than every 3 weeks or inability to time intravenous therapy treatment before and after the study.
  4. Currently in treatment for a major psychiatric disorder
  5. Clinical history of severe psychiatric disorders.
  6. Currently receiving chemotherapy.
  7. (CAREGIVERS ONLY) Must be an adult (>=18 years old).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experimental Support Group (ESG) - Residential Program

Participants attend a 7-day offsite, residential support program. On Day 5 of the program, participant joined by spouse or caregiver.

Questionnaires completed at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline. EEG performed with simultaneous computer testing. Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.

Questionnaires and testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Residential Program
Participants attend a 7-day offsite, residential support program. On Day 5 of the program, participant joined by spouse or caregiver.
Other Names:
  • Retreat
Behavioral: Questionnaires
Questionnaires completed about mood, sleep, fatigue, how participant has been feeling, and their general quality of life at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline, 7 days after residential program ends, and again about 3 months later.
Other Names:
  • Survey
Device: Electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG performed at baseline with simultaneous computer testing consisting of 3 tests to check attention, short-term memory, and levels of emotions. EEG repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Other: Saliva Testing
Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. Saliva testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Study Diary plus Actigraph
For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.
Experimental: Standard Support Group (SSG) - Residential Program

Participants attend a 7-day offsite, residential support program. On Day 5 of the program, participant joined by spouse or caregiver.

Questionnaires completed at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline. EEG performed with simultaneous computer testing. Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.

Questionnaires and testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Residential Program
Participants attend a 7-day offsite, residential support program. On Day 5 of the program, participant joined by spouse or caregiver.
Other Names:
  • Retreat
Behavioral: Questionnaires
Questionnaires completed about mood, sleep, fatigue, how participant has been feeling, and their general quality of life at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline, 7 days after residential program ends, and again about 3 months later.
Other Names:
  • Survey
Device: Electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG performed at baseline with simultaneous computer testing consisting of 3 tests to check attention, short-term memory, and levels of emotions. EEG repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Other: Saliva Testing
Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. Saliva testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Study Diary plus Actigraph
For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.
Other: Standard of Care Group (SOC) - No Residential Program

Questionnaires completed at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline. EEG performed with simultaneous computer testing. Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.

Questionnaires and testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Questionnaires
Questionnaires completed about mood, sleep, fatigue, how participant has been feeling, and their general quality of life at baseline visit, 1 month after baseline, 7 days after residential program ends, and again about 3 months later.
Other Names:
  • Survey
Device: Electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG performed at baseline with simultaneous computer testing consisting of 3 tests to check attention, short-term memory, and levels of emotions. EEG repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Other: Saliva Testing
Day after baseline visit, saliva collected for 3 days at different times to measure cortisol levels. Saliva testing repeated 7 days after the residential program ends, and then again about 3 months later.
Behavioral: Study Diary plus Actigraph
For seven days after baseline visit, participants complete study diary describing sleeping habits. An actigraph also worn during this time to record physical activity and sleeping habits.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Compliance in Residential Retreat Program
Time Frame: 3 months
Participant compliance with assessments monitored as well as participation in all aspects of the intervention program. Intervention deemed feasible if ≥ 60% of enrolled couples complete all assessments and attend the assigned retreat.
3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 21, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 24, 2015

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 29, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 1, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 29, 2016

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2015-0011
  • NCI-2015-00717 (Registry Identifier: NCI CTRP)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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