ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) undergo multimodality treatments that result in significant morbidity. For patients undergoing definitive chemoradiation, functional deficits and significant decrease in quality of life contribute to tremendous social isolation. Peer-to-peer (P2P) support programs have a number of beneficial effects including improved satisfaction with medical care, improved mood, and decreased social isolation. Online support groups represent a new and vastly underused and understudied medium. While there have been a few studies evaluating online support groups, to our knowledge none of these have focused specifically on patients with SCCHN. The goal of the current study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a digitized peer-to-peer communication system for patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced SCCHN. Methods: This is a pilot feasibility study of a digitized smart-phone enabled P2P application. Eligible patients are at least 18 years old, able to speak/read English, and slated to start definitive chemoradiation for their locally advanced SCCHN at Moffitt Cancer Center. The mobile application serves as a digitized patient support group/P2P communication system. Patients are randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive the mobile application or standard of care supportive services. A convenience sample of thirty patients are chosen for this pilot study. Results: To date, eighteen patients have been enrolled to the study. Eleven patients were randomized to the intervention arm, and seven patients were randomized to the standard of care arm. Baseline surveys were administered to enrolled patients. Of the patients who filled out baseline surveys, the majority of patients (62%) desired to be matched with someone undergoing similar therapy, 25% preferred someone with comparable age, and 13% preferred someone of their own gender. One patient was unable to fill out baseline surveys due to worsening of their medical condition. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial was closed for the eight months but is now open to accrual. Conclusions: This trial is currently open and accruing patients. Feasibility will be analyzed after completion of study recruitment.