Utilizing MyChart to Assess the Effectiveness of Interventions for Vasomotor Symptoms: A Feasibility Study

December 17, 2025 updated by: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Utilizing MyChart to Assess the Effectiveness of Interventions for Vasomotor Symptoms: A Feasibility Study (REaCT-Hot Flashes Pilot)

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are a common consequence of systemic therapies for breast cancer. Breast cancer treatments can cause VMS in approximately 30% of postmenopausal women and 95% of premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer (EBC). There are many non-estrogen-based interventions available to manage VMS, including; lifestyle modifications, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological and CAM interventions conducted by our team, found no single optimal treatment for VMS management in breast cancer patients. Given the complex patient, cancer and treatment variables influencing the experience of VMS, the numerous potentially effective VMS interventions available and the varying expectations for an effective intervention, the investigators believe Machine Learning (ML) is ideally suited to the analysis of this common and bothersome treatment related toxicity. The EPIC electronic medical record, and MyChart application has provided both clinicians and patients with increased tools for the documentation of health related outcomes. The investigators believe that the MyChart platform, and ML techniques can be utilized to collect, and analyze outcome data for breast cancer patients experiencing VMS.

Study Overview

Status

Status

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

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

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are a common consequence of systemic therapies for breast cancer. Breast cancer treatments can cause VMS in approximately 30% of postmenopausal women and 95% of premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer (EBC). In addition to their negative impact on quality of life, unmanaged VMS are the most common reason for discontinuation of potentially curative treatment in 25-60% of EBC patients. Estrogen replacement is a common treatment for VMS in the general population, however, it is contraindicated in breast cancer patients. There are many non-estrogen-based interventions available to manage VMS, including; lifestyle modifications, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological and CAM interventions conducted by our team, found no single optimal treatment for VMS management in breast cancer patients. The investigators recently conducted a survey in 373 patients with EBC which found that while the majority of patients were interested in receiving an intervention to mitigate their symptoms, only 18% received a treatment for this problem. In addition, more than one third of patients experiencing VMS report that they are not routinely asked about their symptoms in routine follow up. Given the complex patient, cancer and treatment variables influencing the experience of VMS, the numerous potentially effective VMS interventions available and the varying expectations for an effective intervention, the investigators believe Machine Learning (ML) is ideally suited to the analysis of this common and bothersome treatment related toxicity. Prior breast cancer studies have successfully applied to ML models to examine risk of developing breast cancer, as well as breast cancer prognosis. The EPIC electronic medical record, and MyChart application has provided both clinicians and patients with increased tools for the documentation of health related outcomes. The investigators believe that the MyChart platform, and ML techniques can be utilized to collect, and analyze outcome data for breast cancer patients experiencing VMS.

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

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
56

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.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
        • The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre

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

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients over the age of 18 who have histologically confirmed breast cancer, of any stage
  • Patients experiencing vasomotor symptoms
  • While the study is intended to evaluate the feasibility of the MyChart platform, patients without a MyChart account, who are interested in participating in the study, will have access to a paper or electronic email version. As participation in the MyChart program has benefits outside of this intended study, all patients without a MyChart account will be encouraged to sign up for the service

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those who are unable to complete questionnaires in English

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

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.
Other: Standard of Care Intervention
Standard of care intervention - The intervention will consist of 4 classes of standard of care treatments, namely, lifestyle modifications, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, prescription medications, or adjustment of anti-cancer therapy.
Other: Standard of care treatments
Interventions will consist of 4 classes of standard of care treatments, namely, lifestyle modifications, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, prescription medications, or adjustment of anti-cancer therapy.

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
Patient Engagement (MyChart Accessibility and User Experience)
Time Frame: 3 Months
Patient engagement will be defined by 60% of patients approached agreeing to participate in the study.
3 Months
Physician Engagement (MyChart Accessibility and User Experience)
Time Frame: 3 Months
Physician engagement will be defined by 60% of those completing the study log to approach patients for participation in study.
3 Months
Patient Accrual (MyChart Accessibility and User Experience)
Time Frame: 3 Months
Patient accrual will be defined by accruing 50 participants within 3 months.
3 Months
MyChart Utilization
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
MyChart utilization will be defined as 85% of participants completing both questionnaires (the Hot Flash Problem Score and the Composite Hot Flash Score) on the MyChart interface, and 50% of enrolled participants completing both questionnaires as per study protocol.
Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hot Flash Severity (MyChart Feasibility)
Time Frame: 3 Months
Hot flash severity (MyChart feasibility) will be assessed by the Hot Flash Problem Score, a composite score of the perceived distress, interference, and problematic nature of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in daily life and by the composite hot flash score (assess hot flashes on a daily basis for 7 days). The researchers will assess the feasibility of using MyChart to complete hot flash severity assessments by determining the percentage of participants who complete the tools as per protocol, including the percentage of patients who complete daily assessments over the 7 day period.
3 Months
MyChart Feasibility in assessing effectiveness of interventions for VMS
Time Frame: 3 months
The investigators will assess the effectiveness of an intervention by assessing change in hot flash severity scores using the Hot Flash Problem Score, and composite hot flash score from baseline to 6 weeks post intervention.
3 months
Effectiveness of Interventions for VMS - Traditional Statistical Modeling
Time Frame: 3 Months
Analyze MyChart questionnaire response data, using traditional statistical modelling (including linear and logistic regression models) to predict change in hot flash severity outcomes in response to interventions for VMS. The severity outcomes will be based on two validated clinical tools. These tools consist of the Hot Flash Problem Score (a composite score of the perceived distress, interference, and problematic nature of VMS in daily life), and Composite Hot Flash Score (this assess hot flashes on a daily basis for 7 days).
3 Months
Effectiveness of interventions for VMS (MyChart feasibility)
Time Frame: 3 Months
Effectiveness of interventions for VMS (MyChart feasibility) will be assessed by frequency of nocturnal awakenings, and toxicity data. Data will be analyzed using traditional statistics and machine learning techniques to create a preliminary model predicting VMS treatment response in individuals.
3 Months
Predicting effectiveness of interventions for VMS - machine learning
Time Frame: 3 Months
Utilize machine learning models, including classification and regression trees, with comparison against standard regression models, to assess for improvements in predictive power for hot flash severity. The researchers will use model explainability techniques, such as conditional dependence plots, to study the impact of specific features on the hot flash severity outcomes.
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.
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Sharon McGee, MD, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre

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.

General Publications

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 (Actual)

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.
February 25, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

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.
July 22, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 22, 2022

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).
December 15, 2021

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.
January 24, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

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.
February 3, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

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.
December 18, 2025

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.
December 17, 2025

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.
December 1, 2025

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.
  • REaCT-Hot Flashes Pilot

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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