2.3. Sample Size Calculation
Assuming the previous study’s attrition rate of 18% at
six weeks, 48 adult oncology in-patients will be recruited
to achieve a sample of N = 40 patients with full data sets
at the end of the study. Over the last 6 months, the palliative care consultation service consulted approximately 35
patients with cancer-related pain. Assuming a response
rate of 70%, a recruitment period of 12 months seems
reasonable.
2.4. Methods of Randomization
After informed consent and baseline data collection, patients will be randomized 1:1 into the intervention and
the control group. Group allocation will be concealed
from study personnel by using a computer generated list
with randomly permuting block lengths. A study nurse
will prepare opaque envelops, which will be ordered and
kept in a box accessible to recruiting personnel.