Abstract
Background/aims: Dry mouth is prevalent in > 80% of hospice patients
and affects quality of life. A fytotherapeutic Dexpanthenol gel was developed with hospice patients to address their needs.
Aim: assess the feasibility of future trial procedures for comparing
Dexpanthenol with an OTC substitute for managing xerostomia.
Methods: Mixed method cross sectional feasibility study in the hospice
setting. Patients aged > 18, with dry mouth, Utrecht Symptom Diary
(USD) score > 0 and willing to try Dexpanthenol were eligible. For 5
days, patients were asked to complete 3 questionnaires daily, before and
after gel application. Primary outcomes:
1) enrollment rate, attrition rate, data completeness,
2) perceived feasibility of procedures by caregivers and patients.
Secondary outcome: difference in dry mouth as measured by
the USD. Qualitative data consisted of a focus group interview
and was thematically analyzed. Analysis of quantitative data
included descriptive statistics and examination of withinpatient differences using the Students T-test.
Results: 6 Dutch hospices participated for 6 months. 28 patients
enrolled, 12 completed the study, attrition rate 57%. Most dropouts
(N=12) occurred after 2 days. Two dropped out after inclusion. In total,
210 questionnaires of 26 patients were completed (54%). Caregivers
(N=17) found the study protocol clear (N=11), partially clear (N=6) and
integration into daily tasks feasible (N=13). Some faced recruitment challenges (N=5). Patients (N=7) found the study information clear and sufficient (N=6), 2 found participation burdensome, 6 wished to keep using
the gel. A mean reduction of 3.2 (SD 2.33) was observed for dry mouth
(p<.001). Qualitative analysis revealed patient burden, gatekeeping,
and researcher involvement as key elements affecting feasibility.
Conclusions: Consistent communication with hospice teams, shorter
study duration, and addressing gatekeeping as a potential barrier are
vital for study continuity. Further validation of Dexpanthenol in relieving
dry mouth is required.
and affects quality of life. A fytotherapeutic Dexpanthenol gel was developed with hospice patients to address their needs.
Aim: assess the feasibility of future trial procedures for comparing
Dexpanthenol with an OTC substitute for managing xerostomia.
Methods: Mixed method cross sectional feasibility study in the hospice
setting. Patients aged > 18, with dry mouth, Utrecht Symptom Diary
(USD) score > 0 and willing to try Dexpanthenol were eligible. For 5
days, patients were asked to complete 3 questionnaires daily, before and
after gel application. Primary outcomes:
1) enrollment rate, attrition rate, data completeness,
2) perceived feasibility of procedures by caregivers and patients.
Secondary outcome: difference in dry mouth as measured by
the USD. Qualitative data consisted of a focus group interview
and was thematically analyzed. Analysis of quantitative data
included descriptive statistics and examination of withinpatient differences using the Students T-test.
Results: 6 Dutch hospices participated for 6 months. 28 patients
enrolled, 12 completed the study, attrition rate 57%. Most dropouts
(N=12) occurred after 2 days. Two dropped out after inclusion. In total,
210 questionnaires of 26 patients were completed (54%). Caregivers
(N=17) found the study protocol clear (N=11), partially clear (N=6) and
integration into daily tasks feasible (N=13). Some faced recruitment challenges (N=5). Patients (N=7) found the study information clear and sufficient (N=6), 2 found participation burdensome, 6 wished to keep using
the gel. A mean reduction of 3.2 (SD 2.33) was observed for dry mouth
(p<.001). Qualitative analysis revealed patient burden, gatekeeping,
and researcher involvement as key elements affecting feasibility.
Conclusions: Consistent communication with hospice teams, shorter
study duration, and addressing gatekeeping as a potential barrier are
vital for study continuity. Further validation of Dexpanthenol in relieving
dry mouth is required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 206-207 |
| Journal | Palliative Medicine |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2024 |
| Event | European Association of Palliative Care World Research Congress - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 16 May 2024 → 18 May 2024 https://eapccongress.eu/2024/ |