Increasing patient comfort in palliative radiotherapy with a newly developed mattress: a nonrandomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

In palliative radiotherapy, many patients experience discomfort and pain during treatment, particularly while lying on flat, hard treatment couches that are considered essential for accurate treatment delivery. Thin foam matts, often used for palliative treatments, can somewhat reduce discomfort, but they are frequently insufficient.

AIM

In this study a mattress was developed and investigated, with the aim to reduce pain during radiotherapy treatments without affecting treatment quality.

METHODS

A nonrandomized clinical trial compared the newly designed RTComfort mattress with a standard thin foam matt. The primary endpoint was mattress preference, while secondary endpoints included experienced pain, positioning stability, and dosimetric effects. Included patients tested both the mat and mattress for one minute each in the treatment position before planning-CT acquisition, scoring their preference and pain on a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10). Subsequently, patients were scanned and treated on their preferred option. Positioning stability during treatment was evaluated using optical surface scanning and dosimetric effects were evaluated through dose calculations with the treatment planning system.

RESULTS

Out of 45 patients, 44 (98 %) preferred the RTComfort mattress, with 35 patients showing a strong preference (p < 0.0001). The median pain score on the RTComfort mattress decreased from 4.8 (IQR: 2.0-6.1) to 2.0 (IQR: 0.4 to 4.0 NRS) (p < 0.0001). Both options showed negligible patient sagging, with marginally less on the RTComfort mattress (p < 0.0001). No relevant dosimetric effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective clinical trial highlights the need for more comfortable radiotherapy treatments. Compared to the standard thin foam matt, 98% of patients preferred the RTComfort mattress. The RTComfort mattress provided clinically significant reduction in pain associated with lying on flat, hard treatment couches. The mattress is safe for clinical use and shows potential beyond palliative radiotherapy settings.