Evaluating stress, satisfaction and the associated influencing factors of participants in cancer clinical trials: a cross-sectional study in China

OBJECTIVES: Patients’ stress and satisfaction concerning cancer clinical trials (CCT) may affect study accrual and quality. Our study aimed to evaluate stress and satisfaction in CCT and the influencing factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis done by a questionnaire after informed consent. SETTING: Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: 199 CCT participants. Primary and secondary outcome measures self-assessed stress and satisfaction in CCT. RESULTS: Among 199 participants, 83.9% would join CCT again; 72.9% had enough time to decide on trial participation; 73.9% claimed complete awareness of CCT; 3.5% doubted CCT’s significance and scientific quality; 33.2% deemed CCT time-consuming; 73.9% scored satisfaction ≥9/10; and 25.6% claimed moderate to severe stress. Positive factors for satisfaction were enough decision time (OR=0.36, p=0.0003), better impressions of doctors (OR=0.41, p=0.047) and less time-consuming trials (OR=0.43, p<0.0001). Individuals with more prior uninsured medical expenses (OR=1.23, p=0.026), less time consumption (OR=2.35, p<0.0001) and more tests in CCT (OR=0.64, p=0.035) were less likely to experience stress. Phase III study participants bore less stress than phase II (OR=0.29, p=0.032) but more than phase I (OR=1.18, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our study addressed factors influencing CCT participants’ stress and satisfaction. We suggested measures to improve patients’ experiences in CCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03412344; Pre-results.