SPIN Self-Management Feasibility Trial With Progression to Full-scale Trial (SPIN-SELF)

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).

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, patients will have access 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 proposed study is a feasibility trial with progression to full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), depending on whether stoppage criteria are met, of the SPIN Self-Management Program. The SPIN-SELF Program was previously feasibility tested as an online only, self-help intervention. However, uptake was low, thus the investigators have moved to a group-based format. SPIN-SELF participants randomized to intervention will access and use online self-management material, and this will be supported by videoconference group sessions, led by trained peer facilitators.

In the SPIN-SELF feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial, the investigators will evaluate the disease management self-efficacy of participants who use SPIN-SELF compared to usual care. Eligible SPIN Cohort participants and externally recruited participants, with low disease-management self-efficacy, will be randomized to the SPIN-SELF Program or to usual care only. In the feasibility portion, 40 eligible participants will be randomized. Unless the trial team determines, based on stoppage criteria, that trial procedures need important modifications thereby re-setting the full scale trial as a new trial, the outcome data of the participants in the feasibility portion will be utilized in the analyses of the full-scale trial. In the full-scale RCT, 524 participants will be randomized.

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

2021-09-15

Primary Completion

2025-05-01

Completion

2025-05-01

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations