Video Interventions for Health Anxiety

Overseen By Heather Orom Associate Professor, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: State University of New York at Buffalo

Disqualifiers: Colorectal cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how to increase attention to important health messages about colorectal cancer screening. Researchers are testing whether a video can encourage individuals who typically avoid health information to consider screening options, such as colonoscopies or home tests. The trial compares a video promoting these screenings to another video about food safety. It seeks participants who have not followed screening guidelines and tend to avoid health information, particularly if they have not been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to significant research that could enhance public health messaging and screening rates.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on video interventions for health anxiety related to colorectal cancer screening, so it's best to consult with the trial coordinators for specific guidance.

What prior data suggests that these video interventions are safe for promoting colorectal cancer screening?

Research shows that videos designed to encourage colorectal cancer screening are safe and well-liked by participants. Studies have found that these videos effectively increase the number of people getting screened, whether through colonoscopies or home tests. The videos aim to educate, helping people understand the procedures better and feel less anxious about them.

For instance, videos customized to meet individual needs have successfully encouraged screening among people who might otherwise avoid it. No evidence suggests that these videos cause harm. Watching them is similar to viewing educational content on TV or online.

In terms of safety, watching a video poses very low risk. It's important to remember that these videos are meant to inform and motivate, not to serve as medical treatments. Participants can expect a safe experience when using these video tools. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these video interventions because they offer a fresh approach to encouraging colorectal cancer screening. Traditional methods often rely on pamphlets and direct doctor recommendations, but these videos add a twist by using humor and calming elements to reduce health anxiety, making the process feel less intimidating. By promoting both colonoscopies and home tests, these videos aim to increase screening rates by boosting self-confidence among participants. This innovative use of media could potentially make screening more accessible and appealing, especially for those who may avoid it due to fear or anxiety.

What evidence suggests that this trial's video interventions could be effective for promoting colorectal cancer screening?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of different video interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Participants in one arm will view a video promoting colonoscopy, which studies have shown boosts screening among low-income and minority patients who missed their scheduled colonoscopy. Another arm will involve a video promoting screening with home tests, which research indicates can significantly raise screening rates by helping patients better understand their options. A noninvasive test done at home, as promoted in the video, can reduce the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 33%, making it as effective as a colonoscopy. Overall, video strategies are promising tools to encourage more people to get screened for colorectal cancer. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather Orom Associate Professor, PhD

Principal Investigator

University at Buffalo

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 45-75 who have never been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and are not following screening guidelines. It's specifically aimed at those who tend to avoid information about colorectal cancer, as measured by a pre-screening survey.

Inclusion Criteria

Non-adherent to colorectal cancer screening guidelines

I am between 45 and 75 years old.

Half will have a score at or greater than the mid-point on the colorectal cancer information avoidance scale (≥2.5) on the pre-screening survey such that half of the sample are people who tend to avoid colorectal cancer information

Exclusion Criteria

I am younger than 45 or older than 75.

I have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

I follow the guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants view a brief video promoting colorectal cancer screening with self-efficacy enhancement, humor, and calm affect induction

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for screening intentions and uptake, and for seeking personal risk information

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Video to promote colonoscopy
• Video to promote screening for colorectal cancer with home tests

Trial Overview The study tests two videos: one encourages colonoscopy, the other promotes home screening for colorectal cancer. The goal is to see if these can reduce avoidance of health information and increase engagement in screenings through a randomized controlled trial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Video to promote screening for colorectal cancer with home tests Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will view a brief video promoting colorectal cancer home testing with self-efficacy enhancement, humor and calm affect induction

Group II: Video to promote colonoscopy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will view a brief video promoting colonoscopy with self-efficacy enhancement, humor and calm affect induction

Group III: Attentional control video Active Control 1 Intervention

The attentional control video will be about food safety and will be the same length and include the same actors and music.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

State University of New York at Buffalo

Lead Sponsor

Trials

279

Recruited

52,600+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11008590/

Patient Navigation Plus Tailored Digital Video Disc ... Tailored digital video disc increases colorectal cancer screening among low-income and minority patients who did not attend a scheduled screening colonoscopy.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9373859/

Process Evaluation of a Mailed Interactive Educational ... A process evaluation was conducted as part of a comparative effectiveness trial of a mailed interactive educational DVD intervention to promote colorectal ...

3. pcori.org pcori.org/research-results/2016/comparing-three-ways-increase-colorectal-cancer-screening

Comparing Three Ways to Increase Colorectal Cancer ... In this study, the research team compared three ways to help patients who had been scheduled for a colonoscopy but then canceled or missed their appointment to ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335515000479

A multi-level intervention to improve colorectal cancer ... This study tested the effectiveness of a multi-level CRC screening intervention. There was no difference in receipt of CRC screening between study arms.

5. aacrjournals.org aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/24/9/1311/155597/Efficacy-of-a-Telehealth-Intervention-on

Efficacy of a Telehealth Intervention on Colonoscopy Uptake ... Our results suggest that TeleCARE increases colonoscopy screening among relatives of colorectal cancer patients, especially, but not exclusively, when cost ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06981650

Video Education to Improve First Time Colonoscopy ... Members are chosen based on the scientific skills and knowledge needed to monitor the particular trial. Also called a data safety and monitoring board, or DSMB.

7. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13187-025-02623-0

A Video Decision Aid Decreases Fear of Colonoscopy After ... We developed and piloted a video decision aid that addresses fear of colonoscopy among patients with abnormal FIT results.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772572323001164

Improving the Consent Process With an Informed ... We conducted a quality improvement study to assess how a preprocedure consent video 2 days prior to an outpatient colonoscopy impacts patient satisfaction.

9. apm.amegroups.org apm.amegroups.org/article/view/40218/html

Educational video improves bowel preparation in patients ... Our findings have demonstrated that educational video can improve bowel preparation in patients undergoing colonoscopy.