Development and initial testing of TOGETHER-YA: an eHealth-delivered and group-based psychosocial intervention for young adult cancer survivors

Laura B. Oswald, Madison Lyleroehr, Lisa M. Gudenkauf, Grace E. Armstrong, Danielle B. Tometich, Stacy D. Sanford, Nele Loecher, Carley Geiss, Yvelise Rodriguez, Kelsey L. Scheel, Amarilis Nieves-Lopez, Heather S.L. Jim, Brian D. Gonzalez, Michael H. Antoni, Frank J. Penedo, Damon Reed, Emmanuel Katsanis, John M. Salsman, David Victorson, Rina S. Fox

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to (1) develop TOGETHER-YA, an e-Health-delivered and group-based health-related quality of life (HRQOL) intervention for young adult (YA) cancer survivors aged 18–39 (Part 1), and (2) determine its initial feasibility and acceptability in a single-arm pilot trial (Part 2). Methods: TOGETHER-YA is a manualized, 10-week intervention for YA survivors that includes elements of relaxation training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and health education. In Part 1, content was adapted from existing evidence-based interventions with feedback from YAs (N = 22) in four iterative focus groups. In Part 2, YA survivors (N = 11) participated in a single-arm pilot trial of TOGETHER-YA. Intervention groups were led by a trained facilitator over videoconference. Primary outcomes were feasibility (i.e., recruitment, session attendance, retention) and acceptability (i.e., participant satisfaction). Results: Focus groups reacted positively to TOGETHER-YA and provided actionable recommendations for enhancing its relevance and acceptability, which were implemented. In initial testing, all feasibility and acceptability benchmarks were met; 58% of eligible YAs were recruited, participants attended M = 6 intervention sessions (SD = 3), and 82% of participants were retained post-intervention. On average, participants “agreed” to “strongly agreed” with positive statements about the weekly sessions and the overall program. Conclusion: TOGETHER-YA was developed in collaboration with YA cancer survivors and found to be feasible and acceptable in initial testing. TOGETHER-YA is the first HRQOL intervention for a broad range of YA survivors that is eHealth-delivered for convenience and group-based for peer support. Future large-scale trials should test its efficacy for improving HRQOL. Trial registration: NCT05048316, September 17, 2021; NCT05054569, September 23, 2021.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10067-10076
Number of pages10
JournalSupportive Care in Cancer
Volume30
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Cancer survivors
  • Clinical trials, non-randomized
  • Psychosocial intervention
  • Qualitative research
  • Young adult

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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