Annual Report 2021
Division of Supportive Care, Survivorship and Translational Research
Yosuke Uchitomi, Maiko Fujimori, Masako Okamura, Takuhiro Yamaguchi, Ayako Sato, Tempei Miyaji, Ayumi Okizaki, Ayumu Matsuoka, Kyoko Obama, Shinichi Goto, Wataru Ishida, Kotone Hata, Miyuki Kurosaki, Rumiko Sugihara, Kumiko Shinozaki, Midori Kadowaki, Haruna Aiyoshi, Chihiro Unozawa, Mayumi Ueda, Ikumi Tanaka, Risa Otoshi, Haruka Kouno, Chikage Kida, Haruna Masubuchi, Miho Okubo, Miyuki Kanamaru, Maki Minemura, Hiromi Hasegawa, Naho Noguchi, Tomoe Mashiko, Tatsuo Akechi, Shinichi Suzuki, Hironobu Takano, Saki Harashima, Ken Kurisu, Tomomi Narisawa, Mariko Asai
Introduction
With the aim of realizing a society in which people can live with cancer, we are conducting research that will contribute to supportive care and survivorship for people live with cancer. We also manage the Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group (J-SUPPORT). The aim of the J-SUPPORT is to develop and validate supportive care, which has been studied insufficiently across the world. It is a multicenter research group that operates in collaboration with experts, who are actively working in Japan or in other countries, in various fields including supportive care, palliative medicine, mental/psychosocial care, and data science.
The Team and What We Do
Our division have two teams, i.e. one for own research team and one for clinical research support. We focus on epidemiological, interventional and behavioral, and public health translational research in supportive care and cancer survivorship to enhance symptom relief, survival and psychosocial wellbeing among all persons diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. The research team initiates an interdisciplinary research program ranging from basic bio-behavioral science to the development, testing and delivery of psychosocial, behavioral and survivorship care. The clinical research support team manages J-SUPPORT as a central support office.
Research activities
1) Effectiveness study of a support program to promote empathetic communication between physicians and patients/families with rapidly progressing cancer
An RCT was conducted to consider the effectiveness of a support program to promote advance care planning (ACP) to achieve treatment according to the patients’ preferences after completion of standard treatment. Enrollment was completed and follow-up studies were continued.
2) Efficacy trial of a decision-making mobile intervention to support ACP of advanced or recurrent cancer patients
An RCT is conducted to consider the efficacy of an application that triggers ACP earlier and facilitates end-of life discussions between patients and physicians.
3) Efficacy trial of a support program for treatment decision making tailored to the needs of elderly patients with advanced or recurrent cancer
Based on a geriatric assessment that comprehensively assesses the physical and mental status of elderly patients, an application is developed on recommendation of management that leads to support by a multidisciplinary team is developed, and feedback to facilitate communication of concerns associated with aging between patients and physicians. An RCT is conducted to consider the efficacy of the application.
4) Development of a communication skills training (CST) program for oncologists working with adolescents and young adults (AYAs)
A CST program for oncologists aimed at understanding the characteristics of AYAs and learning basic communication with AYAs with cancer was developed, and its feasibility and preliminary usefulness were demonstrated.
5) Descriptive epidemiological study of suicide among cancer patients using the National Cancer Registry
Using information from the National Cancer Registry, cancer patients were observed that have a higher suicide rate than the general population.
6) Survey on psychological distress and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing gene panel testing
Since few patients who received cancer gene panel tests lead to treatment, a longitudinal study was conducted on the psychological effects on patients and their families, and examined the psychological effects of the tests and test results on patients and their families, as well as related factors.
7) Clinical Guidelines
In collaboration with related academic societies, clinical guidelines are developed on the issues of psychological distress, such as psychological distress (depression and anxiety), fear of recurrence, insomnia, communication, and support for bereaved families, in accordance with the MINDS methodology.
8) J-SUPPORT
J-SUPPORT provides infrastructure and implementation support for clinical trials related to supportive care, palliative medicine, and psycho-social care. The Scientific Advisory Board including patients and citizens was held.
Clinical trials
A randomized controlled trial of integrated empathic communication support program to promote end of life discussion among rapidly progressive cancer patient, caregiver and physician (UMIN000033612)
A randomized controlled trial of a mobile-based empathic communication support program to promote advance care planning discussion between advanced cancer patients and physicians (UMIN000045305)
Randomized controlled trial to develop a program for geriatric assessment and management by mobile applications for elderly patients with advanced and recurrent cancer (UMIN000045428)
Academia
The 22nd World Congress of Psycho-Oncology & Psychosocial Academy was held from May 26th to 29th, 2021 with a total of 688 participants.
The behavioral science seminars were held 10 times a year, with a total of 1,103 participants.
The behavioral science research meetings were held 12 times a year, with a total of 144 participants.
Trainee: Keiko Ohisa
Graduate student; Ayako Sato, Kotone Hata, Emi Tajima, Nano Mishima, Haruka Kono
The Future
We will promote behavioral science research for bridging evidence-practice gap in the field of supportive care in cancer and cancer survivorship to contribute to the realization of a society in which people can live better with cancer. And we will continue to provide a consultation on research design and statistical analysis and support clinical trials in terms of quality management to contribute to promote evidence-based medicine in the field of supportive care in cancer and cancer survivorship.
List of papers published in 2021
Journal
1. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Goto S, Obama K, Kadowaki M, Sato A, Hirayama T, Uchitomi Y. Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among young adult cancer patients in Japan. Palliative & supportive care, 1-7, 2022
2. Saito J, Odawara M, Takahashi H, Fujimori M, Yaguchi-Saito A, Inoue M, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. Barriers and facilitative factors in the implementation of workplace health promotion activities in small and medium-sized enterprises: a qualitative study. Implementation science communications, 3:23, 2022
3. Akechi T, Kubota Y, Ohtake Y, Setou N, Fujimori M, Takeuchi E, Kurata A, Okamura M, Hasuo H, Sakamoto R, Miyamoto S, Asai M, Shinozaki K, Onishi H, Shinomiya T, Okuyama T, Sakaguchi Y, Matsuoka H. Clinical practice guidelines for the care of psychologically distressed bereaved families who have lost members to physical illness including cancer. Japanese journal of clinical oncology, 52:650-653, 2022
4. Matsuoka A, Fujimori M. Interpretation of the Efficacy of Multidisciplinary Geriatric Assessment Intervention on Chemotherapy-Related Toxic Effects in Older Adults With Cancer. JAMA oncology, 8:1, 2022
5. Wada R, Fujiwara M, Yamada Y, Nakaya N, Fujimori M, So R, Kodama M, Higuchi Y, Kakeda K, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the 12-item Self-administered World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 in Patients with Schizophrenia. Acta medica Okayama, 75:315-322, 2021
6. Fujiwara M, Yamada Y, Shimazu T, Kodama M, So R, Matsushita T, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Fujimori M, Takahashi H, Nakaya N, Kakeda K, Miyaji T, Hinotsu S, Harada K, Okada H, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Encouraging participation in colorectal cancer screening for people with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 144:318-328, 2021
7. Etoh T, Fujiwara M, Yamada Y, Wada R, Higuchi Y, Inoue S, Kodama M, Matsushita T, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Fujimori M, Kakeda K, Shimazu T, Nakaya N, Tabata M, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Cancer care for people with mental disorders: A qualitative survey among cancer care and psychiatric care professionals in Japan. Psycho-oncology, 30:2060-2066, 2021
8. Chen SH, Chen SY, Yang SC, Chien RN, Chen SH, Chu TP, Fujimori M, Tang WR. Effectiveness of communication skill training on cancer truth-telling for advanced practice nurses in Taiwan: A pilot study. Psycho-oncology, 30:765-772, 2021
9. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Hata K, Mori M, Mack JW, Prigerson HG, Uchitomi Y. Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Peace, Equanimity, and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience (PEACE) questionnaire. Palliative & supportive care, 1-7, 2021
10. Wu Y, Levis B, Sun Y, He C, Krishnan A, Neupane D, Bhandari PM, Negeri Z, Benedetti A, Thombs BD; DEPRESsion Screening Data (DEPRESSD) HADS Group. Accuracy of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Depression subscale (HADS-D) to screen for major depression: systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. BMJ(Clinical research ed.), 373:n972, 2021
11. Chen SY, Fujimori M, Wang HM, Tang WR. Gender Differences in Cancer Patients' Preferences for Truth-Telling in Taiwan. Cancer Nursing, 482-488, 2021
12. Inoue K, Kawashima Y, Noguchi H, Fujimori M, Akechi T, Kawanishi C, Uchitomi Y, Matsuoka YJ. Attitude to suicide prevention and suicide intervention skills among oncology professionals: An online cross-sectional survey in Japan. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 401-402, 2021
13. Harashima S, Fujimori M, Akechi T, Matsuda T, Saika K, Hasegawa T, Inoue K, Yoshiuchi K, Miyashiro I, Uchitomi Y, J Matsuoka Y. Death by suicide, other externally caused injuries and cardiovascular diseases within 6 months of cancer diagnosis (J-SUPPORT 1902). Japanese journal of Clinical Oncology, 744-752, 2021