Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38969979›Full record

Trial reportBMC cancer2024

Participants' perspectives of being recruited into a randomised trial of a weight loss intervention before colorectal cancer surgery: a qualitative interview study.

Amelia Talbot, Susan A Jebb, Claire Foster, Alba X Realpe, Pete Wheatstone, Simon Buczacki, Dimitrios A Koutoukidis

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC cancer, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. The Acceptability and Experiences of Participating in a Preoperative Intentional Weight-Loss Programme From Diagnosis to Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2026
    Trial
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Amelia TalbotNuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
Susan A JebbNuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
Claire FosterCentre for Psychosocial Research in Cancer, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Alba X RealpeNIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Population Health, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall. 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, Bs8 2PS, UK.
Pete WheatstonePatient and Public Involvement Member, Leeds, UK.
Simon BuczackiNuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
Dimitrios A KoutoukidisNuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK. dimitrios.koutoukidis@phc.ox.ac.uk.

Funding

Cancer Research, United Kingdom A27178National Institute for Health and Care Research NIHR204051The Pharsalia Trust, United Kingdom C14094
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe period between cancer diagnosis and surgery presents an opportunity for trials to assess the feasibility of behaviour change interventions. However, this can be a worrying time for patients and may hinder recruitment. We describe the perspectives of patients with excess weight awaiting colorectal cancer surgery about their recruitment into a randomised trial of a prehabilitation weight loss intervention.

methodsWe interviewed the first 26 participants from the 8 recruitment sites across England in the 'CARE' feasibility trial. Participants were randomised into either usual care (n = 13) or a low-energy nutritionally-replete total diet replacement programme with weekly remote behavioural support by a dietitian (n = 13). The semi-structured interviews occurred shortly after recruitment and the questions focused on participants' recollections of being recruited into the trial. We analysed data rapidly and then used a mind-mapping technique to develop descriptive themes. Themes were agreed by all co-authors, including a person with lived-experience of colorectal surgery.

resultsParticipants had a mean body mass index (± SD) of 38 kg/m

conclusionsPatients were motivated to take part by the prospect of improved surgical outcomes. However, the strong preference to be allocated to the intervention suggests that balanced communication of equipoise is crucial to minimise disappointment from randomisation to usual care and differential dropout from the trial. CLINICAL

trial registrationISRCTN39207707, Registration date 13/03/2023.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsQualitative ResearchAdultBody Mass IndexEnglandFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SelectionWeight LossWeight Reduction ProgramsColorectal CancerInterviewsObesityQualitative evaluationQualitative researchWeight loss

Identifiers

PMID38969979
PMCPMC11225294

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.