Cancer, Chemotherapy
Conditions
Keywords
Cancer, Humor, Distraction, Comedy, Chemotherapy
Brief summary
Primary aims: To compare changes in (a) symptoms related to cancer and chemotherapy, (b) a marker of immune function (salivary immunoglobulin A), and (c) a hormonal marker of emotional stress (salivary cortisol) between two groups of patients who view a humorous or non-humorous DVD. Secondary aim: To describe the perception of patients, caregivers, and nurses regarding the overall intervention experience.
Detailed description
Patients were recruited from the Outpatient Oncology (OPO) clinic at QMC. After signing an informed consent, patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy were randomly assigned to view a 45-minute humorous DVD or non-humorous DVD. The following measurements were obtained before and after patients viewed the DVD: Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the state portion of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI-S) to assess symptoms related to cancer and chemotherapy, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) to assess immune function and salivary cortisol to assess emotional stress. In addition, patients, caregivers, and nurses were asked open-ended questions after the intervention to ascertain their impression of the overall intervention experience. Multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were be used to analyze changes in ESAS, STAI-S, IgA and cortisol within and between the two groups.
Interventions
OTHERHumor intervention
A 45-minute humorous DVD (Bananas Bunch) using a portable DVD player.
OTHERNon-humor intervention (distraction)
A 45-minute non-humorous DVD (The A to Z of Steam Railways) using a portable DVD player
Sponsors
Queen Emma Nursing Research Institute
University of Hawaii
Queen's Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Diagnosis of cancer 2. Receiving intravenous chemotherapy in the OPO clinic at QMC 3. Has a minimum appointment time in OPO of two hours 4. Age 21 or older 5. Speaks English
Exclusion criteria
1. Blind 2. Deaf 3. Diagnosis of head/neck cancer 4. Severe oral mucositis 5. Cognitively impaired \-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| To compare changes in symptoms related to cancer and chemotherapy after a humor vs. non-humor intervention | One day |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| To compare changes in a marker of immune function (salivary immunoglobulin A), and a hormonal marker of emotional stress (salivary cortisol) between two groups of patients who view a humorous or non-humorous DVD. | One day |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed