Participants & demographic data
Eleven patients were willing to participate. The mean duration of the interview was 27 minutes and 35 seconds. Additional demographic characteristics and information about diagnosis are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Demographic characteristics of the phase-I participants (n = 11)
|
Total
|
Gender
Female
Male
|
4 (36%)
7 (34%)
|
Age
40–50
51–60
61–70
71–80
|
2 (18%)
3 (27%)
3 (27%)
3 (27%)
|
Marital Status
Single
Married
|
2 (18%)
9 (82%)
|
Moment of interview1
1
2
|
6 (56%)
5 (44%)
|
WHO2
0
1
|
3 (27%)
8 (73%)
|
Cancer diagnoses
Melanoma
Glioblastoma
Leukemia
Prostate cancer
Endometrial cancer
Lung cancer
Ovarian cancer
|
1 (9%)
1 (9%)
2 (18%)
3 (27%)
1 (9%)
2 (18%)
1 (9%)
|
1 1) Evaluation of first cycle took place but; 2) Several tumor evaluations have taken place; / 2 WHO = WHO Performance Status |
Findings
As a result of the deductive analysis performed, six themes and twenty subthemes emerged matching the three personal needs (Figure 2).
Competence
Mixed future expectations
The future expectations of the participants varied from short-term expectations (days – week), to long-term expectations (month – year). Prior to the first evaluation, participants tended to look into the future in the short term.
“Now I live by the day. Now I live to arrange everything in such a way that when I die, everything can continue. I was busy with arranging that in the past, but not very intensively. And that has completely changed. My point of view is completely reversed.”
Following the first evaluation, many participants tended to look further into the future.
“My expectation is that I can continue trial participation for a while. That I can continue this trial for a few more years.”
Treatment expectations
All participants gave a clear description of ECT and they all described how their treatment would go according to the trial protocol in detail.
“Especially the fact, you look again at what effect it can have for the rest of your life. You also know when it doesn’t work, then it has no value in the end. You look at the point that it does apply to you. You know, the changes are small.”
Almost all participants thought about life after ECT. The themes which came forward were end-of-life care, such as hospice care and euthanasia. This notion confronted them with the fact that eventually they would have to leave their loved ones behind. A small number of participants indicated that they also needed guidance in this regard.
Control of the outcome
Control of the outcome was measured as ‘hope of living longer’. Participants hoped to participate in a trial which would be life-extending and give as few side-effects as possible. In addition to hope, participants sought motivation in optimism or realism. Optimism was found in the fact that participants were optimistic about the possibility of extending their lives by the maximum amount. They thought that this possibility may apply to them. Participants even said that the probability of success was greater than zero. Participants reasoned that there were two options: they would benefit from participation, or they expected to stay in the same state as before they started, not including the possibility that their health could be worse due to the treatment (e.g. toxicity, burden, impact on quality of life).
“I have more optimism than hope. I need more optimism than hope, I can see that for myself. It is wonderful when hope is included, but I want to stop that cancer, and I want to live in a normal way for a few more years. That is reasonable, that is, not hope. I just want that.... Yes. There is still hope. There is still a chance. And I grab it with both hands. I'll see where it ends. And this makes sure that I don't feel down at the moment. That I am not depressed. I still feel motivated.”
Participants remained as positive as possible, they shared the opinion that without this positive approach they could not have sustained participation. Participants who had recently enrolled in ECT emphasized that the probability that the ECT could extend their lives was small and they were realistic about the outcome and their future perspectives. Only one participant indicated to have received motivation from their religion.
Relatedness
Altruistic motivation
Some patients wanted to do good for the research team and future patients. Participants saw it as their duty to contribute to the development of new anticancer treatments, from which future patients may benefit. Ultimately, this will help future cancer patients.
“It is important for the people who come after me. I also participate to satisfy the researcher."
Furthermore, participants wanted to stay alive as long as possible for their family, partners, and friends. Participants’ motivations were influenced both by the opinions and actions of their loved ones and the research team.
“I do it for others and for myself. Seeing your grandchildren grow up. I have been married for almost 58 years. But I would still like to reach 60 years of marriage."
Autonomy
To live and act in harmony
A small number of participants said that experiencing as few side-effects as possible with no side-effects was an advantage. If they did have side effects, some compared it with past regular treatment, which they experienced as heavier.
“At some point I could no longer tolerate the chemo. Then we switched to other things that did not work... It was too intense for me. We were halfway through that, and he (the doctor) said: I don't want your death to my conscience.”
Harmony was also found in the fact that daily life, such as their hobbies and work, could be continued. Prior to the first tumor evaluation, participants were just ‘happy’ that they could participate, and participants during ECT participation experienced stabilization or a decrease in cancer progression. This indicated that participants found harmony and peace in the fact that they have gone through all possible treatment options.
“I go along with it and we see how far we get. If I don't do this, I could say: ‘If only I had .. Now I don't have to say that. Now I have done it all. I have tried everything... The motivation why you do it, I do this to make sure I have tried everything. Without any doubt.”
Some even experienced the feeling that they have been treated to the limit or that they ‘are not ready yet’.
“It gives me the feeling that I am not ready yet. It is as simple as that.”
All participants would consider consent in the future trials. Furthermore, they indicated that it is not an option to reconsider current trial participation. All participants thought about the quality of their life.
“The way I live right now, it is bearable. Every time I am here for a week and I get all the side effects. So be it. Is still doable for me. If my health deteriorates and I have to come in here in a wheelchair, uhm, things like that. I have an euthanasia statement and then it is over.”
Mental and physical burden
Most participants experienced the expected side effects. The participants expressed their concerns according to certain aspects of the trial such as blood sampling, hospital admissions, the exact time of intake of medication, the amount of medication, and the feeling of being a test subject.
“Expectations. They just aren't there. You're a kind of. Experiment. It is an experiment… and the protocol that is very fixed.”
During ECT, almost all participants mentioned that the trial confronted them with the fact that there is no regular treatment option available and the fear that they may have had to to stop trial participation. Some participants felt burdened by the fact that they had to travel to the hospital and sometimes spend their precious days on a hospital visit.
“For me phase I, this study of mine is the last possible option... It consumes a lot of energy. This creates fatigue again. At least to me. Constantly working on it. I get tired because of that, it almost makes me want to give up life (of trial participation). Physically. And therefore, not getting enough quality of life.”