Telehealth for the Self-Management of Dietary Quality of Life in Patients After Stomach Cancer Surgery

Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Dietary Quality of Life After Gastric Cancer Surgery

This clinical trial test whether taking part in a diet support intervention will help with patients nutrition and quality of life after surgery for esophagus or stomach cancer. The information learned by doing this research study may help patients get more information and/or support on eating after esophagus and stomach cancer surgery.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Gastric Carcinoma; Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire Administration; Other: Telemedicine Visit; Other: Best Practice

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the feasibility, retention, and satisfaction of the Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Eating after Gastric Surgery (TIMES) intervention as measured by the percentage of patients who a) agree to participate; b) complete a majority of the intervention (at least 2 sessions); and c) report satisfaction with the intervention (through structured exit interviews).

II. Assess the preliminary efficacy of TIMES for patient reported outcomes for quality of life (QOL), dietary symptoms, and self-management.

III. Assess the preliminary efficacy of TIMES for objective measures of patient nutrition.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized in to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive 4 telehealth sessions over 1 hour each over 4 months. Patients also receive an intervention guidebook.

ARM II: Patients receive standard nutritional support.

After completion of study, patients are followed up for 6 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 53
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Duarte, California, United States, 91010
      • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• The ability to understand English or Spanish.
• Undergone curative intent surgery for gastric or gastroesophageal (GE) junction cancer.
• Began oral intake within the past month.
• Aged 21 years and older.
• Able to participate in telehealth sessions.
• This study will be conducted in patients aged 21 years or older who have undergone curative intent surgery for gastric or GE junction cancer.
• Age criterion for this trial is based on the National Institute of Health (NIH')s age criteria, which defines an adult as individuals aged 21 years and over. There are no restrictions related to performance status or life expectancy.
• All subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects, who in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm I (telehealth session, guidebook); Patients receive 4 telehealth sessions over 1 hour each over 4 months. Patients also receive an intervention guidebook.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Other: Telemedicine Visit; Receive telehealth sessions
Active Comparator: Arm II (standard nutritional support); Patients receive standard nutritional support.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Other: Best Practice; Receive standard nutritional support; Other Names: standard of care; standard therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Feasibility of the Telehealth Intervention - Percent Participation	Feasibility of the Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Eating after Gastric Surgery (TIMES) intervention will be measured by the percentage of patients who agree to participate.	Up to 6 months
Feasibility of the Telehealth Intervention - Percent Completion	Feasibility of the Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Eating after Gastric Surgery (TIMES) intervention will be measured by the percentage of patients who completes two sessions.	Up to 6 months
Retention of the TIMES intervention	Measured by the percentage of patients who complete a majority of the intervention (at least 2 sessions).	Up to 6 months
Satisfaction of the TIMES intervention	Measured by the percentage of patients who report satisfaction with the intervention (through structured exit interviews). Satisfaction and engagement will be assessed through the exit interview via qualitative data, content analysis approach.	Up to 6 months
Patient reported outcomes - European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ30):	EORTC-QLQ30 will be assessed with a 30-item instrument for QOL assessment, with subscales/items for function, global health, general symptoms (fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting), and financial toxicity.	Up to 6 months
Patient reported outcomes - EORTC-Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Module	(EORTC-OG25) will be assessed with a 25-item measure for esophagogastric cancer-specific symptoms and emotional well-being.	Up to 6 months
Patient reported outcomes - Patient Activation Measure (PAM)	Patient Activation Measure (PAM) will be assessed by using a Guttman-like scale that reflects a patient's level of engagement and empowerment in their healthcare.	Up to 6 months
Patient reported outcomes - General Self-Efficacy Scale	A General Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Jerusalem and colleagues contains 10 items that assess perceived confidence in self-management. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale.	Up to 6 months
Patient reported outcomes - The Post-Gastrectomy Nutrition Questionnaire	The Post-Gastrectomy Nutrition Questionnaire is a tool developed by the investigators to assess patient knowledge about diet and nutrition after surgery for GE cancer. Each item addresses specific content discussed in the telehealth sessions to assess changes in knowledge. Scoring is based on the number of questions answered correctly.	Up to 6 months
Objective measures of patient nutrition - Weight	Weight will be recorded at baseline and 6 months to examine the preliminary efficacy of the intervention on objective measures of patient nutrition. Weight will be measured by kg.	Up to 6 months
Objective measures of patient nutrition - Body Mass Index (BMI)	Body Mass Index will be calculated and recorded by dividing weight in Kg by height in m^2 at baseline and 6 months to examine the preliminary efficacy of the intervention on objective measures of patient nutrition.	Up to 6 months
Objective measures of patient nutrition - Albumin levels	Serum albumin levels collected as routine follow-up care will be recorded at baseline and 6 months to examine the preliminary efficacy of the intervention on objective measures of patient nutrition. Albumin level will be measured g/dl.	Up to 6 months
Objective measures of patient nutrition - Skeletal mass Index	Sarcopenia/skeletal muscle mass will be calculated at baseline and 6 months through CT scans performed as part of routine follow-up for gastroesophageal cancer include cross-sectional images at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). The cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle mass in this region has been found in multiple studies to correlate with total body skeletal muscle mass. Skeletal muscle mass will be quantified using well described techniques applying a predefined Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold of -25 to 150 HU for skeletal muscle mass. Muscle boundaries will be corrected manually when necessary to obtain cross-sectional areas (cm2) for skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle index (SMI, cm2/m2) is defined as the cross-sectional area of muscle at the L3 level normalized for BMI.	Up to 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jae Y Kim, City of Hope Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 21, 2020
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 12, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): January 24, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 18, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Stomach Diseases; Stomach Neoplasms; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Quality of Health Care; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Guidelines as Topic; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Standard of Care; Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Other Study ID Numbers: 19220 (Other Identifier: City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center); P30CA033572 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); NCI-2021-12909 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No