Comparative Effectiveness of Video and Face-to- Face Sessions to Educate Hospitalized Patients on Cancer Pain Management

Objective: Patients’ lack of knowledge of cancer pain management affects pain outcomes. This study compared the effectiveness of cancer pain management achieved in a previous retrospective study (“P-group”), in which hospitalized cancer pain individuals received no pain education, with the pain management achieved by 2 study groups. One group received pain management information via video sessions (“V-group”) and the other via face-to-face coaching (“F-group”). The study’s secondary aims were to compare the 2 interventions’ psychological, quality-of-life, and opioid-consumption impacts. Materials and Methods: This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial enrolled hospitalized cancer pain patients aged between 18 and 70 with an Eastern Clinical Oncology Group performance status < 4. They were assigned to V- and F-groups to receive information on managing cancer pain. “Successful pain control” was defined as “no to mild pain” or a numerical rating scale score < 4 on Day 6. Pain intensity and opioid consumption (morphine-equivalent daily dosage) were recorded daily from baseline to Day 6. Psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General) were assessed at baseline and Day 6. Results: Fifty-nine participants were analyzed (V-group: 31; F-group: 28). Both groups had significantly higher successful pain outcomes than the P-group (P < .001). The V- and F-groups had no significant differences in successful pain control (20 [65%] vs 19 [68%]; P = .787), psychological effects, quality of life, or opioid consumption. Conclusions: Video sessions are an alternative means of educating hospitalized cancer pain patients and reducing healthcare providers’ workloads.