SPIN Self-Management Feasibility Trial

Summary

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) is an organization established by researchers, health care providers, and people living with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The objectives of SPIN are (1) to assemble a large cohort of SSc patients who complete outcome assessments regularly in order to learn more about important problems faced by people living with SSc and (2) to develop and test a series of internet-based interventions to help patients manage problems related to SSc, including a self-management program (SPIN-SELF Program).

In the SPIN-SELF feasibility trial, eligible SPIN Cohort participants will be randomized to be offered the SPIN-SELF Program (in addition to usual care) or to usual care only. The SPIN-SELF Program was designed by SPIN members based on key tenets of behaviour change that have been successfully incorporated in programs for more common diseases and on patient input. It utilizes social modelling through educational videos of SSc patients describing their challenges and what they have done to cope with SSc, as well as videos teaching key self-management techniques. After an introduction to self-management and instructions on how to navigate the program, a short quiz comprised of one-item questions will direct patients to modules that are most relevant to their symptoms and disease management challenges. The program's modules address (1) pain; (2) skin care, finger ulcers, and Raynaud's; (3) sleep problems; (4) fatigue; (5) gastrointestinal symptoms; (6) itch; (7) emotions and stress; (8) body image concerns due to disfigurement; and (9) effective communication with healthcare providers.

The aim of the SPIN-SELF feasibility study is to collect data to assess the feasibility of planned procedures for the full-scale trial; required resources; and scientific aspects of the study (e.g., withdrawal rate, outcomes measures). These data will be used to determine whether it is feasible to carry out the main trial or whether changes need to be made before conducting a full-scale RCT of the SPIN-SELF Program.

Conditions

• Scleroderma
• Systemic Sclerosis

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

SPIN-SELF Program

The SPIN-SELF program utilizes social modelling through educational videos of scleroderma patients who describe their own challenges and what they have done to cope with living with scleroderma, as well as videos of patients and health professionals who teach key self-management techniques. The program includes sections on general self-management skills, including goal-setting and self-monitoring), progress tracking, sharing goals and progress with friends and family, and patient stories of experiences with using self-management techniques to cope with SSc symptoms. The program's 9 modules focus on (1) coping with pain; (2) skin care, finger ulcers and Raynaud's; (3) sleep problems; (4) fatigue; (5) gastrointestinal symptoms; (6) itch; (7) managing emotions and stress; (8) coping with body image concerns due to disfigurement; and (9) effective communication with healthcare providers.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lady Davis Institute

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-07-05

Primary Completion

2019-11-25

Completion

2019-11-25

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations