title: Symptom Control Trials in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptom control research in patients with advanced cancer is not common. This may be the result of a belief that this research is unethical, not practical, or that patients are not interested. However, the experiences of cancer patients who have actually taken part in symptom control research near the end of life have never been detailed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to explore the experiences of patients with advanced cancer who had taken part in symptom control trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective two-center study was undertaken using grounded theory methodology. Theoretical sampling was used to recruit patients from one of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials studying novel analgesic agents for cancer-related pain. Participants completed one semistructured interview. Recruitment and interviewing continued until data saturation was achieved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one participants were recruited. Fifteen (71%) were male, with a mean age of 62 years. Key themes identified included reasons for trial participation, participants' interactions with the trial staff, and participants' responses to the effect the trial had on their pain. In general, participants regarded taking part in a clinical trial as a positive experience, and potentially improving overall well-being. Crucially, this was not related to whether there had been an improvement in symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide grounds for optimism that patients with advanced cancer may benefit from taking part in symptom control trials, supporting the paradigm that participation in symptom control research should be encouraged in this population.
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Electronic address: tommiddlemiss@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Middlemiss
authors.affiliation: Academic Palliative and Supportive Care Studies Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lloyd-Williams
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marie T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fallon
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: Palliative care; cancer; research