A digital, coach-assisted intervention to address the psychosocial needs of young adult cancer survivors: Randomized controlled trial protocol and intervention adaptation process

Authors

Darcey M. McCready, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Hannah Arem, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, USA; Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, USA.
Danielle A. Duarte, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Kyla Dennis, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Nathan Ball, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Lauren A. Cafferty, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Pamela S. Hinds, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Children's National Hospital, USA; GW Cancer Center, George Washington University, USA.
Afrah Howlader, Department of Health Policy and Management, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, USA; GW Cancer Center, George Washington University, USA. Electronic address: carlaberg@gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-23-2024

Journal

Contemporary clinical trials

Volume

141

DOI

10.1016/j.cct.2024.107545

Keywords

Acceptance and commitment therapy; Cancer survivorship; Health promotion; Hope; Positive psychology; Quality of life; Young adult cancer survivors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing number of young adult cancer survivors and the impacts of cancer on various life domains, interventions addressing the psychosocial needs of young adult survivors are crucial. However, such intervention research is limited, and the existing literature has often: 1) overlooked young adult survivors' psychosocial needs; 2) targeted depression, anxiety, or fear of recurrence - rather than positive outcomes like well-being; and 3) failed to consider scalable approaches, like digital health. METHODS: This paper documents the development and refinement of an 8-week digital, coach-assisted intervention targeting hope among young adult cancer survivors (ages 18-39, within 3 years of treatment completion) and presents the protocol of the 2-arm RCT (comparing intervention vs. attention control). The intervention builds upon a 2017-2018 pilot trial (n = 56); intervention refinements were based on subsequent semi-structured interviews among young adult survivors (n = 23). RESULTS: The pending trial design involves an increased sample size (n = 150) to increase power and diversified recruitment efforts (i.e., clinic-based, social media, community-based organizations, etc.) to facilitate intervention reach, accessibility, and scalability. The intervention was enhanced by integrating highly relevant theoretical and therapeutic frameworks, specifically the concept of hope and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as updating intervention delivery technology. Intervention outcomes include feasibility and acceptability at end-of-treatment and preliminary efficacy on hope (primary outcome) and quality of life measures (secondary outcomes) at end-of-treatment and 16-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This paper may facilitate discussion regarding approaches for addressing the significant psychosocial challenges faced by young adult survivors and catalyze dissemination of trial results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05905250.

APA Citation

McCready, Darcey M.; Arem, Hannah; Duarte, Danielle A.; Dennis, Kyla; Ball, Nathan; Cafferty, Lauren A.; Hinds, Pamela S.; Howlader, Afrah; and Berg, Carla J., "A digital, coach-assisted intervention to address the psychosocial needs of young adult cancer survivors: Randomized controlled trial protocol and intervention adaptation process" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4682.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4682

Department

Prevention and Community Health