The Effect of Using Weighted Blanket on Anxiety, Stress, Depression and Comfort Level Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Intravenous Anticancer Therapy and Its Feasibility of Use by Nurses Compared to Routine Care (CALM-WB)
The Effect of Using Weighted Blanket on Anxiety, Stress, Depression and Comfort Level Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Intravenous Anticancer Therapy and Its Feasibility of Use by Nurses Compared to Routine Care; a Randomized Controlled Study (CALM-WB)
Protocol Title: Protocol Title: The Effect of using Weighted Blanket on anxiety, stress, depression and comfort level among Patients with cancer undergoing intravenous (IV) anticancer therapy and its feasibility of use by nurses compared to routine care; a Randomized controlled study.
Study Tools: VAS-A, ESAS-R, DASS-21 and comfort level scale will be used to study the patients' population. A survey will be used to assess the feasibility of using the weighted blankets on patients receiving IV anticancer therapy.
Methodology: Consented patients will be stratified per gender then randomized to either ARM1: The interventional arm, Weighted blanket, or ARM2: The control arm, Standard of care. (Regular blanket). The weighted blanket will be administered in the two cycles of IV anticancer therapy for the interventional arm, exploring the temporal trajectory of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, and investigating the potential of a weighted blanket intervention to mitigate these symptoms. The tools will be administered according to the study protocol. Day Care Unit nurses will be assessed on how feasible they think the blankets are for patients. Expected Outcome: WB is expected to reduce the anxiety in patients undergoing IV anticancer therapy and reduce the nurses' burden when caring for those patients.
調査の概要
詳細な説明
Cancer represents a significant public health concern in the Sultanate of Oman and continues to contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality within the population. According to the Ministry of Health (2020), cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in the country, highlighting its considerable and growing burden. The crude incidence rate among Omanis is estimated at 68.3 per 100,000 among males and 79.4 per 100,000 among females, indicating a slightly higher incidence among women.
Among the different types of cancer, breast cancer is the most common, with approximately 35% of cases diagnosed at advanced stages (stage III or IV), which is associated with poorer prognostic outcomes and increased physical and psychological burden. Thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer also contribute significantly to the overall cancer burden in the country.
The management of cancer involves a range of treatment modalities aimed at curing the disease, prolonging survival, or improving quality of life. These include surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal treatments. Among these, chemotherapy remains one of the most widely used approaches due to its effectiveness in targeting malignant cells.
However, despite its benefits, chemotherapy is associated with various adverse effects that can negatively impact both the physical and psychological well-being of patients.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience distressing physical symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, pain, and general discomfort. In addition to these physical effects, chemotherapy also has a significant psychological impact.
Anxiety is consistently reported as the most common psychological symptom among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This anxiety is multifactorial in nature and may arise from concerns about treatment side effects, fear of disease progression, changes in body image such as hair loss, and disruptions to daily activities and social roles.
Anxiety levels are not constant across the cancer trajectory but tend to fluctuate depending on different stages of the disease and treatment process. At the time of diagnosis and treatment planning, patients often experience heightened emotional distress due to uncertainty and fear of the unknown. During the treatment phase, persistent physical symptoms and repeated chemotherapy cycles may sustain or even intensify anxiety levels. Additional triggers such as scan results, treatment modifications, and worsening symptoms can further exacerbate anxiety. Individual factors, including age, coping strategies, and prior mental health status, also play an important role in influencing the severity of anxiety experienced.
Unmanaged anxiety can have serious consequences on patient outcomes. It may lead to reduced adherence to treatment, lower satisfaction with care, and diminished quality of life. Furthermore, psychological distress, which encompasses emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions, is common among cancer patients and may manifest as fear, hopelessness, or social withdrawal. Evidence suggests that approximately one-quarter of patients undergoing chemotherapy experience anxiety and depression, which have been linked to poorer clinical outcomes and reduced survival rates.
In response to this burden, increasing attention has been given to non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving patients' psychological well-being. These interventions include relaxation techniques, music therapy, psychoeducation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Such approaches are particularly valuable as they provide supportive care without adding to the pharmacological burden or introducing additional side effects.
Deep touch pressure (DTP) has recently emerged as a promising intervention for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. It involves the application of gentle, sustained tactile pressure, which has been shown to enhance parasympathetic activity and reduce sympathetic nervous system arousal, thereby supporting emotional regulation and a sense of calm. A practical application of DTP is the use of weighted blankets, which provide evenly distributed pressure to create a soothing "cocooning" effect and promote relaxation and improved sleep.
Growing evidence supports the effectiveness of weighted blankets in reducing anxiety across various populations, including individuals in clinical settings. In oncology, emerging studies suggest that weighted blankets can reduce anxiety during chemotherapy sessions and are generally well accepted by both patients and healthcare providers due to their ease of use and feasibility.
Despite this growing evidence, research on the use of weighted blankets among cancer patients in Middle Eastern populations remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of weighted blankets as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
The study adopts a randomized controlled trial design. Participation is voluntary, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Patients will be stratified by gender due to its recognized influence on anxiety reporting. Following stratification, participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which will receive the weighted blanket, or the control group. Randomization will be conducted using a computer-generated system to ensure methodological rigor.
Statistical analysis will include comparisons between the intervention and control groups using appropriate tests, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. The study is powered to detect a meaningful effect, with a total sample size of 152 patients equally distributed across study groups and gender strata.
This study offers a practical and innovative approach to addressing anxiety among patients undergoing chemotherapy. By evaluating a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological intervention such as weighted blankets, the study has the potential to enhance patient well-being and support the integration of holistic care in oncology settings.
研究の種類
入学 (推定)
段階
- 適用できない
連絡先と場所
研究連絡先
- 名前：Aida M Al Kindy, BScN, MQM
- 電話番号：+968-97655101
- メール：a.alkindy@cccrc.gov.om
研究連絡先のバックアップ
- 名前：Fatma K Al Farsi, BScN
- 電話番号：+96892893736
- メール：f.alfarsi@cccrc.gov.om
研究場所
-
-
Seeb
-
Muscat、Seeb、オマーン、123
- 募集
- Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Center - University Medical City
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コンタクト：
- Fatma K Al Farsi, BScN
- 電話番号：+96892893736
- メール：f.alfarsi@cccrc.gov.om
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コンタクト：
- Aida M Al Kindy, Masters
- 電話番号：+96897655101
- メール：a.alkindy@cccrc.gov.om
-
主任研究者：
- Aida M Al Kindy, Masters
-
副調査官：
- Dr. Huda S Al, PhD
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副調査官：
- Fatma K Al Farsi, BScN
-
-
参加基準
適格基準
就学可能な年齢
- 大人
- 高齢者
健康ボランティアの受け入れ
説明
Inclusion Criteria: for patients
- Newly diagnosed cancer patients aged 18 years and older.
- Receiving first-line intravenous anticancer therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy or a combination of both) in the daycare unit (adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative).
- Weighting at least 55 kg during obtaining the informed consent. (At least 54 kg before the intervention).
- Able to complete study assessments.
- Speaks Arabic or English.
- Signs Informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria for patients:
- Prior psychological treatment or psychotherapy (confirmed psychological diagnosis, history of psychotropic medications and previous psychotherapy).
- Currently hospitalized in inpatient units.
- Patients on daily anticancer infusions.
- Positive fall risk assessment.
- Open wounds and recent surgeries/ stoma.
- Enrolled in any other device study or clinical trial during data collection.
History of:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Respiratory disorders,
- Claustrophobia (Miller et al 2003) Because of the possibility for altered sensory perception,
- Patients who had a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or fibromyalgia (Vinson et al. 2020)
- Cognitive impairment
Eligibility criteria for the nurse's population:
Day Care Unit nurses will be recruited by convenient sampling and feedback will be sought per patient per visit. The reason to this is because the same nurses maybe caring for multiple patients using the WBs and each patient will provide a different experience for the nurses caring for those patients. Only nurses who agree to complete the study questionnaire will be included.
研究計画
研究はどのように設計されていますか？
デザインの詳細
- 主な目的：支持療法
- 割り当て：ランダム化
- 介入モデル：並列代入
- マスキング：なし（オープンラベル）
武器と介入
参加者グループ / アーム |
介入・治療 |
|---|---|
|
実験的：Weighted Blanket Arm
Receives Weighted Blanket
|
Weighted blankets selection was done to ensure the weight is below 10% of the participants' average weight.
For the purpose of this study, researchers will use the 12 lbs (equivalent to 5.44 kg) blankets to account for less than 10% of the patients' average weight.
The blankets do not come in free size (Field et.
al. 2010).
The manufacturer selected was Sommerfly, mainly because of suitability of the product for clinical use (infection control recommendations) and ease of shipping of the products.
The blankets are waterproof, breathable, tear-resistant, antimicrobial, flame-resistant and non-toxic.
Cleaning involves wiping the surface with approved cleaning wipes or mild soap and water, followed by rinsing and air-drying.
If disinfection is required, a 10% bleach solution may be used.
Machine washing, drying, or dry cleaning is not permitted.
|
|
アクティブコンパレータ：Regular Hospital Blanket (No Weighted Blanket)
Patients are offered a regular blanket as per standard of care.
|
This is a regular hospital blanket which is offered as standard of care to all patients.
Patients will choose to apply if needed.
|
この研究は何を測定していますか？
主要な結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Anxiety Using Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A)
時間枠：Baseline (prior to weighted blanket use) and at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Anxiety will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A).
The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no anxiety and 10 indicates worst possible anxiety.
Higher scores represent worse anxiety.
|
Baseline (prior to weighted blanket use) and at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
|
Change in Symptom Burden Using Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised (ESAS-r)
時間枠：Baseline (prior to weighted blanket use) and at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Symptoms will be assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised (ESAS-r), a validated tool measuring multiple symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression).
Each symptom is scored from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate worse symptom severity.
|
Baseline (prior to weighted blanket use) and at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
|
Change in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Using Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)
時間枠：Baseline and on Cycle 3 - At any timepoint during the visit (each cycle is anywhere between 14 days and 28 days) of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Psychological status will be assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), which includes three subscales: depression, anxiety, and stress.
Each subscale score ranges from 0 to 42 after multiplication, with higher scores indicating worse psychological distress.
|
Baseline and on Cycle 3 - At any timepoint during the visit (each cycle is anywhere between 14 days and 28 days) of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
二次結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
|
Patient Satisfaction with Weighted Blanket Use (6-item Likert Scale)
時間枠：Given to participants randomized to the weighted blanket arm at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days), depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Patient satisfaction with the weighted blanket will be assessed using a 6-item questionnaire. Each item is rated on a 3-point Likert scale (0 = Disagree, 1 = Not Sure, 2 = Agree). The total score ranges from 0 to 12, calculated by summing responses across all six items. Higher scores indicate greater patient satisfaction with the weighted blanket. The questionnaire was developed for this study and underwent internal validation for clarity and content by a group of individuals who assessed the items for understandability and relevance prior to study implementation. |
Given to participants randomized to the weighted blanket arm at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days), depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
|
Change in Heart Rate
時間枠：Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2 and cycle 3. (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Heart rate will be measured in beats per minute (bpm) before and after intravenous anticancer therapy.
The change from pre-infusion to post-infusion will be calculated and compared between the interventional and control groups.
|
Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2 and cycle 3. (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days) depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
|
Feasibility of Weighted Blanket Use Among Nurses (Feasibility Questionnaire)
時間枠：Given to nurses caring for participants randomized to the weighted blanket arm at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days), depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
Feasibility will be assessed using a structured questionnaire completed by nurses, evaluating ease of use, safety, and practicality.
Responses will be recorded on a Likert scale.
(Disagree 0, Not sure 1, Agree 2)
|
Given to nurses caring for participants randomized to the weighted blanket arm at the end of Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 (each cycle is 14 days to 28 days), depending on the prescribed cycle length as per standard of care, of intravenous anticancer therapy.
|
|
Change in Blood Pressure
時間枠：Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle depending on standard care).
|
Blood pressure (mmHg) will be measured before and after intravenous anticancer therapy.
Changes from pre-infusion to post-infusion will be calculated and compared between study groups.
|
Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle depending on standard care).
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Change in Respiratory Rate
時間枠：Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle).
|
Respiratory rate will be measured in breaths per minute before and after intravenous anticancer therapy.
The change from pre- to post-infusion will be compared between the interventional and control groups.
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Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle).
|
|
Change in Body Temperature
時間枠：Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle).
|
Body temperature (°C) will be recorded before and after intravenous anticancer therapy.
The change from pre- to post-infusion will be analyzed and compared between groups.
|
Pre-infusion and post-infusion during Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (14-28 days per cycle).
|
協力者と研究者
捜査官
- スタディディレクター：Dr. Huda S Al Awaisi, PhD、Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Center
研究記録日
主要日程の研究
研究開始 (実際)
一次修了 (推定)
研究の完了 (推定)
試験登録日
最初に提出
QC基準を満たした最初の提出物
最初の投稿 (実際)
学習記録の更新
投稿された最後の更新 (実際)
QC基準を満たした最後の更新が送信されました
最終確認日
詳しくは
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