Completed Research Project

A randomised clinical trial to test a pain education program for patients with cancer and their family carers

Investigators: Oldham L.

Supervisor: Kristjanson L

Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council  Fellowship for Palliative Care, 2004–2006 ($116,000)

Administering institution: Edith Cowan University

Abstract: Although it has been reported that pain can be relieved, primarily with oral analgesics, in 90% of cancer patients, it is estimated that between 40 and 80% of cancer patients still experience pain. The priority concern, apart from hope for a cure, identified by both patients and family carers is pain relief for the patient.

Aim: The primary aim of this project was to improve cancer patients’ and family carers’ knowledge and attitudes about pain management. The secondary aim was to examine the effect of a pain education program (PEP) on patients’ actual pain experiences.

Method: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) using repeated measures was utilised to test the improvement in 89 cancer patients' and 45 family carers’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. The study was conducted at two leading cancer centres: St Vincent’s Hospital (Victoria) and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Cancer Clinical Service Unit (WA).

Results: Data analyses (repeated measures ANOVA) revealed that patients randomised to the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in both knowledge of (p=0.000) and attitudes to (0.000) pain   management. Patients randomised to the control group demonstrated no significant differences in knowledge or   attitudes over time. Carers in the intervention group also demonstrated statistically significant improvement in knowledge (0.002) and attitude (0.001) to pain management while carers in the control group demonstrated no     significant differences over time in their knowledge of pain management. However carers in the control group did demonstrate a worsening in their attitude to pain management over time. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the PEP is effective in improving patients’ and carers’ knowledge of pain management and effective in improving patients’ attitudes to pain management. As well, the PEP could be integrated into clinical care to foster best practice in pain education for patients and families.