DevelopmentA Web-Based Support Care Program for Individuals Diagnosed With Colorectal Cancer

Development And Evaluation of The Effectiveness of A Web-Based Support Care Program for Individuals Diagnosed With Colorectal Cancer

This study was designed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based supportive care program for individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer undergoing cancer treatment. The program's effectiveness is evaluated based on the symptom burden and quality of life experienced by patients during cancer treatment. This randomized controlled trial was conducted with the participation of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer receiving treatment at the Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit of Koç University Hospital. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. Patients in the intervention group were provided with access to the web-based 'Sağlıkta Buluşalım (Meet in Health) Supportive Care Program' for 3 months in addition to routine care, while the control group received standard care. Data collection tools included a Descriptive Information Form, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C), Website Usability Scale, and a Telephone Follow-up Form. Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U, Pearson Chi-Square, Fisher's Exact, and Friedman tests, were planned to compare symptom levels and quality of life scores within and between groups over time.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Colorectal Cancer; Colorectal (Colon or Rectal) Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: web based supportive care programme

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34840
      • Koc University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of colon cancer and receiving cancer treatment (within the first 3 months of diagnosis)
• Being 18 years of age or older
• Being able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish
• Having internet access
• Being able to use a smartphone or computer
• Having access to a smartphone or computer
• Voluntary participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a psychiatric illness
• Having a disability that impairs cognitive functions
• Refusing to participate in the study
• Poor general health
• Incompatibility between treatment appointments and the study's data collection schedule

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
No Intervention: control group; Patients in the control group received standard treatment and care at the hospital where they were followed up. Initial interviews with patients were conducted in person. After obtaining verbal and written consent from patients who volunteered to participate in the study, the "Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale" and the "Functional Assessment in Cancer Treatment-Colorectal Cancer Scale" were administered. The same scales were administered again via telephone one month (second follow-up) and three months (final follow-up) after the initial data collection. Institutional Standard Care: At the institution where the study was conducted, patients receiving chemotherapy were informed by their primary nurse about the medication protocol, drug-related side effects, and possible symptoms. They were also given educational brochures on topics such as pain, nausea, and precautions to take when using port needles. Nurses in the outpatient chemotherapy unit additionally planned the patients' treatm
Experimental: intervention group; Experimental Group Patients in the experimental group used the web-based "Meet in Health Support Care Program" for 3 months in addition to routine care. The initial interview with the patients was conducted face-to-face. Verbal and written consent was obtained from patients who volunteered to participate in the study. During the interview, the goal and content of the study were explained, the website was introduced, and information on its use was provided. In addition, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and the Functional Assessment in Cancer Treatment-Colorectal Cancer Scale were administered during the first interview. One month (second follow-up) and three months (final follow-up) after the collection of the initial data, the same scales were administered again by telephone interviews with the patients. In the final follow-up (3rd month), the "Website Usability Scale" was administered to the patients to evaluate their satisfaction with the support care program.	Other: web based supportive care programme; This study developed a supportive care program for individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer who are undergoing cancer treatment, focusing on the symptoms and quality of life experienced by patients during treatment. The sub-headings and content of the planned program were prepared within the framework of the "Supportive Care Framework," frequently used for cancer patients. This framework, comprising 7 main concepts (physical, emotional, social, psychosocial, spiritual/mental, informational, and practical-daily life changes), aims to provide a holistic approach to patients' needs. Furthermore, the program content includes the experiences of individuals who have gone through similar experiences and have recovered from cancer. All these approaches constitute the unique values of this study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quality of Life Measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) Scale	The Functional Assessment in Cancer Treatment-Colorectal Cancer Scale (FACT-C) was administered to evaluate the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy. The scale is part of the Functional Assessment in Chronic Disease Treatment (FACIT) measurement system and is used to assess common conditions seen in all cancer patients, as well as specific concerns associated with colorectal cancer.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months
Symptom Severity Measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale	The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the symptoms experienced by patients during chemotherapy treatment. The scale assesses 10 symptoms: pain, fatigue, nausea, sadness, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, general malaise, shortness of breath, and other problems.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ilknur Yazicioglu

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Web-Based Supportive Care Program for Colorectal Cancer Patients

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 8, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 3, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 3, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of Life; Supportive Care; Colorectal Cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms; Internet-Based Intervention; Symptom Control
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Intestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colonic Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024/11-07

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No