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Abstract
Background: The Symptom Navi Program (SNP) is a nurse-led intervention supporting
basic symptom self-management for patients with any cancer diagnosis. The SNP has
been accepted by patients and healthcare professionals alike. Objective: The aims of
this study were to pilot the SNP and evaluate patient-reported symptomoutcomes, nursing
support for symptom management, and patient safety. Methods: Using a
cluster-randomized design, we randomized centers to the intervention (SNP) or control
group (usual care). Adult patients starting first-line systemic cancer treatment were
included. The primary outcome was the change in symptom interference with daily
functions from treatment onset to 16 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in
symptom severity, symptom burden, self-efficacy, and perceived symptom management
support and patient safety. We used linear and logistic mixed-effects models to pilot-test
differences in mean changes between groups. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.
gov (NCT03649984). Results: Changes in symptom interference with daily functions
did not differ (mean difference at 16 weeks: −0.50; 95% confidence interval, −1.38 to
0.38; P = 0.25) between SNP (3 centers, 49 patients) and control (5 centers, 85 patients)
as for all other outcomes. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Our
preliminary findings did not indicate an effect of the SNP on patient-reported symptom
outcomes, self-efficacy, or symptom management support. Inadequate power and SNP
components (eg, insufficient training, low number of follow-up consultations) may be
attributed to the lack of an observed effect. Implications for Practice: The SNP
training content and intervention procedures merit reconsideration.