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.