RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Integrated Short-Term Palliative Rehabilitation in Incurable Cancer

This study is investigating a program called 'integrated short-term palliative rehabilitation' for people living with incurable cancer. Many people with cancer, even when treatment prolongs life, experience difficulties with daily activities. This can impact their quality of life. Palliative rehabilitation helps people manage their condition, aiming to reduce symptoms and keep them as independent and active as possible. This trial wants to find out if this extra support, alongside their regular care, is better at improving how people with incurable cancer feel and their overall quality of life compared to just receiving their usual care. It's an important step to help people live more fully with their condition.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

340

Start

18 Apr 2024

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Cancer

What is this study about?

When someone has incurable cancer, it means that while treatments might help them live longer, they won't get rid of the cancer completely. Living with cancer can bring many challenges, and people might find it harder to do everyday tasks like getting dressed, cooking, or enjoying their hobbies. This can really impact their independence and how they feel about life. Doctors call this 'disability' or 'loss of function'.

This study is looking at something called 'palliative rehabilitation'. Think of rehabilitation as a support program designed to help you regain or maintain your strength, independence, and overall well-being. Palliative care focuses on improving your quality of life, managing symptoms, and providing support for you and your family. So, palliative rehabilitation combines these ideas: it's a special program to help people with incurable conditions actively manage their health, reduce symptoms, and live as fully and independently as possible.

The main aim of this study is to see if adding this palliative rehabilitation program to the usual care people receive is more helpful for their quality of life than just receiving usual care on its own. Researchers want to understand if this extra support can make a real difference in how people with incurable cancer feel and cope day-to-day.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a special support program for incurable cancer.
It aims to improve quality of life and daily independence.
Participants will receive either special rehabilitation plus usual care, or usual care alone.
This is for adults with various types of incurable solid cancer.
Your regular cancer treatment will continue as normal if you take part.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult, 18 years or older, and have been diagnosed with an incurable solid cancer. This includes common types like lung, bowel, breast, or prostate cancer, as well as others. You should also be generally well enough to take part and be able to understand and agree to the study requirements in available languages.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. If you have blood cancers like leukaemia or lymphoma, this study isn't for you. Also, if you are already receiving specialist rehabilitation for your cancer or another health problem, or have received it very recently (within the last two weeks), you wouldn't be able to participate. Finally, if your doctor believes your life expectancy is less than 3 months, you wouldn't be eligible for this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Do you have a diagnosis of an incurable solid cancer (like lung, bowel, breast, prostate)?
Are you able to manage daily activities, even if you need some help?
Are you able to understand and sign consent forms?
Have you *not* had specialist rehabilitation for cancer in the last two weeks?
Has your doctor not given you a prognosis of less than 3 months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed information on what taking part involves is not provided in the brief summary. However, in studies like this, participants are usually divided into groups. One group might receive the special palliative rehabilitation program in addition to their regular cancer care, while the other group would continue with their regular care only. Taking part would likely involve regular visits to the clinic for assessments, which could include questionnaires about your quality of life, physical tests, and discussions with the study team. There might also be follow-up appointments over a certain period to see how you are doing over time. The total duration of the study and how often you'd need to attend would be fully explained before you decide to join.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in any study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study could be an improvement in your quality of life and ability to manage daily activities if you receive the palliative rehabilitation program. Even if you don't receive the new program, your participation helps researchers learn valuable information that could benefit future patients. The risks in this type of rehabilitation study are generally low but might include some discomfort during physical assessments or spending extra time on study visits. You will be fully informed of any potential risks before you agree to participate, and importantly, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (11)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Herlev Hospital
Verified postcode
Herlev, Denmark· Not yet recruiting
Hôpital Lyon Sud HCL
Verified postcode
Lyon, France· Recruiting
Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano
Verified postcode
Milan, Italy· Not yet recruiting
AUSL di Reggio Emilia
Verified postcode
Reggio Emilia, Italy· Recruiting
St Olav's Hospital
Verified postcode
Trondheim, Norway· Not yet recruiting
Western General Hospital in Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
St Gemma's Hospice
Verified postcode
Leeds, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
King's College Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Worthing Hospital
Verified postcode
Worthing, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
York, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is 'incurable solid cancer'?

It means the cancer can't be completely cured, but treatments can help you live longer and feel better. 'Solid' cancer means it forms a lump or tumour, unlike blood cancers.

What is 'palliative rehabilitation'?

It's a special support program that helps people with advanced conditions manage symptoms, stay independent, and improve their quality of life as much as possible.

Will I stop my usual cancer treatment if I join this study?

No, this study looks at adding palliative rehabilitation *in addition* to your usual care. You would continue all your regular cancer treatments.

How long would I need to be involved in the study?

The exact duration isn't detailed here, but studies like this often involve initial assessments and then follow-up appointments over several weeks or months. This would be clearly explained to you.

What if I change my mind after joining?

You are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

INSPIRE Research Team

INSPIRE@kcl.ac.uk 02078480532 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.