A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate three immobilisation devices for intra-thoracic radiation therapy

• Published in: Journal of radiotherapy in practice Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 65 - 75
• Main Authors: O'Shea, Evelyn, Armstrong, John, Gillham, Charles, McCloy, Roisin, Murrells, Rachel, O'Hara, Tom, Clayton-Lea, Angela, Murphy, Michael, Browne, Patricia, Booth, Catherine, Thirion, Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.06.2010
• Subjects: treatment accuracy; Conformal lung radiotherapy; set-up errors; lung immobilisation
• ISSN: 1460-3969; 1467-1131
• DOI: 10.1017/S1460396910000038

Purpose: To determine the optimal of three immobilisation devices for lung radiotherapy in terms of set-up reproducibility, patient comfort, radiation therapists’ (RTs) satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Materials and methods: A total of 30 lung CRT patients were randomised to one of three immobilisation techniques – Arm A, headsponge; Arm B, BreastBoard dedicated immobilisation device; and Arm C, LungBoard dedicated immobilisation device. Results: Random errors were larger for Arm A versus C in all directions (p < 0.05). Random errors were larger for Arm A versus B for y and z directions (p < 0.05). When the data for the immobilisation devices (Arms B+C) were pooled and compared with Arm A (no dedicated device), the systematic errors were larger in the z direction for A (p < 0.05). Arm C was cheaper and was more comfortable for patients. Therapists preferred this device (Arm C) and treatment times were less (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This is the first prospective randomised controlled lung immobilisation trial, based on 3-DCRT, that takes into account treatment accuracy, users satisfaction and resource implications. It suggests that the LungBoard immobilisation device is optimal.