The Leeds Cancer Pain Assessment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Leeds Cancer Pain Assessment (LCPA): a feasibility study protocol
IRAS ID
243512
Contact name
Matt Mulvey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
The prevalence of pain in patients with cancer is over 50% and for many it is severe enough that it prevents them is doing their usual daily activities. When cancer pain is regularly assessed using standardised pain assessment tools it is easier to manage and leads to better outcomes for patients. However, screening for cancer pain is not routinely undertaken in oncology clinics because there is no simple standardised pain assessment tool that can be easily integrated into routine oncology practice. The feasibility study described here will evaluate the procedures for a simple pain assessment and a detailed quantitative assessment of sensory nerve function called Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST). The data collected from this feasibility study will be used to refine the design and delivery strategy of a larger clinical trial. In this feasibility study we will invite 40 patients with painful advanced cancer from St Gemma's Hospice to take part. They will complete a short questionnaire at home and be invited to come to a one-off study visit at St Gemma's Hospice lasting 1 hour. During the study visit patients will be guided through the simple pain assessment and the QST assessment by the researcher. The assessments will test the patients ability to feel different sensations like soft touch, warm, cool, hot, cold and pinprick. At the end of the study, patients will be asked about their experiences of taking part.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
18/WA/0129
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion