Miho Asano1, Gerald Choon-Huat Koh2, Preetha Madhukumar3,4,5, Gladys Yu Hui Teng6, Petrina Li Ling Liew6, Saraswathi Nagalingam7, May Leng Mabel Tan8, Yee Sien Ng9,10, Benita Kiat Tee Tan3,4,5. 1. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #09-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore. epham@nus.edu.sg. 2. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, #09-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore. 3. Duke-NUS Breast Centre, 20 College Rd, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. 4. Department of Breast Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, 10 Hospital Blvd, Singapore, 168582, Singapore. 5. Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610, Singapore. 6. Department of Occupational Therapy, Singapore General Hospital, 10 Hospital Blvd, Singapore, 168582, Singapore. 7. Nursing Division Singapore General Hospital, 10 Hospital Blvd, Singapore, 168582, Singapore. 8. Department of Nursing, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescent, Singapore, 169610, Singapore. 9. Duke-Nus Medical School, National University of Singapore, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169867, Singapore. 10. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Singapore General Hospital, 10 Hospital Blvd, 168582, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cancer affecting women in Singapore. Its survivors commonly experience decline in physical function and quality of life post-mastectomy, due to their upper limb morbidity and wound issues. Rehabilitation can address the aforementioned issues. When rehabilitation is accessible and easy to adhere, it can optimize recovery. Home-based tele-rehabilitation guided by healthcare professionals and self-managed by patients can potentially optimize the patients' adherence to rehabilitation and recovery. With that in mind, a team of breast cancer specialists (oncologists, nurses, and therapists) in Singapore has developed one of the first tele-rehabilitation systems for local women undergoing a unilateral mastectomy. To our knowledge, no such systems have been evaluated or proven effective as a treatment option among local breast cancer patients with acute disabilities. METHODS: This is a pilot quasi-experimental trial that aims to evaluate the feasibility of tele-rehabilitation and tele-drain care compared to usual care. Up to 40 patients (20 per group) will be recruited for this trial. They will be assigned to an intervention group that receives rehabilitation via a tele-rehabilitation system or a control group that receives rehabilitation in person at their clinic. The primary outcome of this trial is rehabilitation participation (i.e., the time spent on rehabilitation). The secondary outcomes are upper extremity functioning, perceived health, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: As part of this pilot trial, patients who opt in for the tele-rehabilitation will be asked to share their experience with and thoughts on the tele-rehabilitation system. With the evidence obtained from the tele-rehabilitation patients of this trial, we will be able to improve the current system for our future trial. Further, our additional data on rehabilitation participation, physical function, and quality of life will help us design a sufficiently powered future main trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was approved by the National Healthcare Group's Domain Specific Review Board (#2019/00283) and registered with www.ClinicalTrials.gov (# NCT04269967 ) in February 2020.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Breast cancer is the leading cancer affecting women in Singapore. Its survivors commonly experience decline in physical function and quality of life post-mastectomy, due to their upper limb morbidity and wound issues. Rehabilitation can address the aforementioned issues. When rehabilitation is accessible and easy to adhere, it can optimize recovery. Home-based tele-rehabilitation guided by healthcare professionals and self-managed by patients can potentially optimize the patients' adherence to rehabilitation and recovery. With that in mind, a team of breast cancer specialists (oncologists, nurses, and therapists) in Singapore has developed one of the first tele-rehabilitation systems for local women undergoing a unilateral mastectomy. To our knowledge, no such systems have been evaluated or proven effective as a treatment option among local breast cancerpatients with acute disabilities. METHODS: This is a pilot quasi-experimental trial that aims to evaluate the feasibility of tele-rehabilitation and tele-drain care compared to usual care. Up to 40 patients (20 per group) will be recruited for this trial. They will be assigned to an intervention group that receives rehabilitation via a tele-rehabilitation system or a control group that receives rehabilitation in person at their clinic. The primary outcome of this trial is rehabilitation participation (i.e., the time spent on rehabilitation). The secondary outcomes are upper extremity functioning, perceived health, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: As part of this pilot trial, patients who opt in for the tele-rehabilitation will be asked to share their experience with and thoughts on the tele-rehabilitation system. With the evidence obtained from the tele-rehabilitation patients of this trial, we will be able to improve the current system for our future trial. Further, our additional data on rehabilitation participation, physical function, and quality of life will help us design a sufficiently powered future main trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was approved by the National Healthcare Group's Domain Specific Review Board (#2019/00283) and registered with www.ClinicalTrials.gov (# NCT04269967 ) in February 2020.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; Pilot trial; Tele-rehabilitation
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