Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions for Health

Overseen By Yoko Takahashi, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Hawaii

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Not proficient in English, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether community-based discussion groups, known as Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions, can boost health awareness and positive behaviors among Native Hawaiian men. Participants will join sessions that combine health topics, such as cancer, with Hawaiian cultural content to determine if these discussions improve health knowledge and lifestyle choices. The goal is to strengthen local support networks for ongoing health promotion. Men living in Hawaii who can read and understand English may be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to community health initiatives and cultural preservation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these discussion sessions are safe for participants?

Studies have shown that culturally tailored discussion sessions, such as the Kūkākūkā sessions, effectively increase health awareness among participants. These sessions are both informative and supportive, offering a safe space for learning and discussing health topics.

No reports of negative effects or safety concerns have emerged from these educational and behavioral sessions. Because they emphasize discussion and education rather than medical procedures or drugs, the risk of negative effects remains very low. Participants can feel confident in a safe and supportive environment that aims to enhance their health knowledge and behaviors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions because they represent a unique blend of health education and cultural engagement. Unlike traditional cancer prevention methods that focus solely on medical information, these sessions integrate Hawaiian cultural content, making the health topics more relatable and engaging for participants. This culturally tailored approach not only aims to increase awareness and understanding of cancer prevention but also encourages active participation through pre- and post-test surveys, commitment contracts, and follow-up support. The hope is that this method will motivate individuals to undergo screenings and adopt healthier behaviors more effectively than standard educational programs.

What evidence suggests that Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions are effective for enhancing health awareness and behaviors among Native Hawaiian men?

Research has shown that Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions raise health awareness among Native Hawaiian men. These community gatherings blend health topics with Hawaiian cultural traditions. Attendees have gained more health knowledge and developed a better attitude towards it. For over ten years, the Kū Ola project has used these sessions to promote healthier lifestyle choices. This approach also fosters local support networks, leading to lasting health improvements. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kevin Cassel, DrPH, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Native Hawaiian men interested in improving their health. Participants should be willing to engage in community-based discussion groups and educational sessions aimed at enhancing health awareness, attitudes, and behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read and understand English

Hawaii residency

I identify as male.

Exclusion Criteria

Any medical condition or situation that, in the investigator's judgment, would make continued participation not in the participant's best interest

I am under 18 years old.

I am not fluent in English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Educational & Behavioral Intervention

Participants engage in Kū Ola kūkākūkā discussion group modules, complete pre- and post-test surveys, draft a commitment contract, and undergo cancer screening where applicable.

6 months

Multiple sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adherence to commitment contracts and receive follow-up support.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Kūkākūkā Discussion Sessions

Trial Overview The Ku Ola Project tests whether group discussions and small educational sessions can boost health knowledge and self-efficacy among Native Hawaiian men. It also aims to create local support networks for sustained health promotion.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Educational & Behavioral Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants take part in Kū Ola kūkākūkā (discussion group) modules-each a 2-hour session integrating a health topic (e.g., colorectal, lung, oro/nasopharyngeal cancer) with Hawaiian cultural content-complete pre- and post-test surveys, draft a commitment contract, and, where applicable, undergo cancer screening and receive follow-up support.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Hawaii

Lead Sponsor

Trials

122

Recruited

55,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Interviews with six kumu hula from five Hawaiian Islands revealed strong support for using hula in cardiovascular disease (CVD) intervention programs, highlighting its deep connections to health and well-being.

The kumu hula emphasized the importance of maintaining hula's cultural integrity in clinical interventions, suggesting that when done respectfully, hula can serve as an effective holistic approach to improving overall health and wellness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Kumu hula perspectives on health. Look, MA., Maskarinec, GG., de Silva, M., et al.[2018]

In Sweden, 93 national quality registers now include patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) or patient-reported experience measures (PREMs), highlighting their importance in understanding treatment effects from the patient's perspective.

These measures are being used to enhance clinical practices, such as improving shared decision-making and care plans, and there are plans to expand their use for quality improvement in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-reported outcomes in the Swedish National Quality Registers. Nilsson, E., Orwelius, L., Kristenson, M.[2022]

A quality improvement program aimed at enhancing medication education for post-acute neurosurgical patients led to increased patient satisfaction scores, highlighting the importance of effective communication about medications and their side effects.

The program utilized strategies like patient handouts, nurse education, and the 'teach back' method, which proved successful in reinforcing understanding and improving patient experiences related to medication management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using evidence to improve satisfaction with medication side-effects education on a neuro-medical surgical unit. Ahrens, SL., Wirges, AM.[2022]

Patient-centered outcome measurement is crucial for assessing the quality, effectiveness, and value of care in the evolving US healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of understanding disease impact.

The paper highlights how using outcome measurement tools in neurosurgery can enhance practice-based learning and quality improvement, ultimately demonstrating the value of neurosurgical interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcome science in practice: an overview and initial experience at the Vanderbilt Spine Center. McGirt, MJ., Speroff, T., Godil, SS., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06964633?aggFilters=status%3A

The Ku Ola Project: Enhancing Health Promotion Among ... The Ku Ola Project: The goal of this study is to determine if community-based discussion groups and small educational sessions enhance health awareness and ...

2. uhcancercenter.org uhcancercenter.org/community-outreach/participate-in-a-research-study/ku-ola

Kū Ola Kāne Kūkākūkā. Come join us for a session to talk story about what it means to be a healthy Native Hawaiian kāne. The Kū Ola Program (for ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6997960/

No Ke Ola Pono o Nā Kāne: A Culturally Grounded ... Poor health outcomes are particularly more apparent in Native Hawaiian men (kāne) who are less likely than Native Hawaiian women to adopt ...

4. hawaii.edu hawaii.edu/news/2023/02/28/health-needs-nh-men-project/

Health needs of Native Hawaiian men focus of UH Cancer ... For more than a decade, the Kū Ola project has supported health promotion in Native Hawaiian men by holding kūkākūkā (discussion sessions) with ...

5. uhfoundation.org uhfoundation.org/news/uh-cancer-center-project-meet-health-needs-native-hawaiian-men

UH Cancer Center project to meet the health needs of ... For more than a decade, the Kū Ola project has supported health promotion in Native Hawaiian men by holding kūkākūkā (discussion sessions) with ...

6. manoa.hawaii.edu manoa.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=10456

UH Cancer Cancer study highlights importance of culturally ... In Hawaiʻi, Native Hawaiian men (kāne) have the highest death rate from colon cancer among all ethnic groups. While screening can prevent 90 ...

7. papaolalokahi.org papaolalokahi.org/wp-content/uploads/Molokai-phase-1-report.pdf

Native Hawaiian Substance use stakeholder meetings Cultural safety training for providers to learn about historical trauma and its impact on Native Hawaiian substance use and overall wellbeing. Advocacy for ...

8. events.afcea.org events.afcea.org/tip25/public/sessions.aspx?ID=115436&View=Sessions&sortMenu=102001

2025 AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific: Agenda This session examines the implementation of manual data tagging on enterprise endpoints to meet DoD requirements for handling classified and controlled ...

9. data.capitol.hawaii.gov data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/2025GIA-Apps/He%20Ho'omaka%20Ana%20O'%20Puna_168650_OP.pdf

He Ho'omaka Hou Ana O' Puna Safe Spaces: Provide private, consistent meeting locations for participants to express deep-rooted emotions and process trauma safely. Monthly ...