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

doi:10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y

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

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-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 language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	10067-10076
Number of pages	10
Journal	Supportive Care in Cancer
Volume	30
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y
State	Published - Dec 2022

Funding

This study was supported in part by Institutional Research Grants from the American Cancer Society (IRG-174–173-22, PI: Oswald) (IRG-18–163-24, PI: Fox), the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (R01-CA242849, PI: Salsman) (K08-CA247973, PI: Fox) (P30-CA076292), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (UL1-TR001422). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Jim is a consultant for RedHill BioPharma, Janssen Scientific Affairs, and Merck and has grant funding from Kite Pharma. Dr. Gonzalez is a consultant for SureMed Compliance and KemPharm, and an advisory board member for Elly Health, Inc. Dr. Antoni is a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics and Atlantis Healthcare. Dr. Penedo is a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics. Dr. Reed is a consultant for Springworks and Eisai. All other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Dr. Jim is a consultant for RedHill BioPharma, Janssen Scientific Affairs, and Merck and has grant funding from Kite Pharma. Dr. Gonzalez is a consultant for SureMed Compliance and KemPharm, and an advisory board member for Elly Health, Inc. Dr. Antoni is a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics and Atlantis Healthcare. Dr. Penedo is a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics. Dr. Reed is a consultant for SpringWorks and Eisai. All other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Keywords

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

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oncology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Oswald, L. B., Lyleroehr, M., Gudenkauf, L. M., Armstrong, G. E., Tometich, D. B., Sanford, S. D., Loecher, N., Geiss, C., Rodriguez, Y., Scheel, K. L., Nieves-Lopez, A., Jim, H. S. L., Gonzalez, B. D., Antoni, M. H., Penedo, F. J., Reed, D., Katsanis, E., Salsman, J. M., Victorson, D., & Fox, R. S. (2022). Development and initial testing of TOGETHER-YA: an eHealth-delivered and group-based psychosocial intervention for young adult cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(12), 10067-10076. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y

@article{2c1de85dbe654e4b81d71b8cb5ed2240,

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

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.",

keywords = "Cancer survivors, Clinical trials, non-randomized, Psychosocial intervention, Qualitative research, Young adult",

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

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.",

year = "2022",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "30",

pages = "10067--10076",

journal = "Supportive Care in Cancer",

issn = "0941-4355",

publisher = "Springer Verlag",

number = "12",

}

Oswald, LB, Lyleroehr, M, Gudenkauf, LM, Armstrong, GE, Tometich, DB, Sanford, SD, Loecher, N, Geiss, C, Rodriguez, Y, Scheel, KL, Nieves-Lopez, A, Jim, HSL, Gonzalez, BD, Antoni, MH, Penedo, FJ, Reed, D, Katsanis, E, Salsman, JM, Victorson, D & Fox, RS 2022, 'Development and initial testing of TOGETHER-YA: an eHealth-delivered and group-based psychosocial intervention for young adult cancer survivors', Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 30, no. 12, pp. 10067-10076. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y

TY - JOUR

T1 - Development and initial testing of TOGETHER-YA

T2 - an eHealth-delivered and group-based psychosocial intervention for young adult cancer survivors

AU - Oswald, Laura B.

AU - Lyleroehr, Madison

AU - Gudenkauf, Lisa M.

AU - Armstrong, Grace E.

AU - Tometich, Danielle B.

AU - Sanford, Stacy D.

AU - Loecher, Nele

AU - Geiss, Carley

AU - Rodriguez, Yvelise

AU - Scheel, Kelsey L.

AU - Nieves-Lopez, Amarilis

AU - Jim, Heather S.L.

AU - Gonzalez, Brian D.

AU - Antoni, Michael H.

AU - Penedo, Frank J.

AU - Reed, Damon

AU - Katsanis, Emmanuel

AU - Salsman, John M.

AU - Victorson, David

AU - Fox, Rina S.

PY - 2022/12

Y1 - 2022/12

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Cancer survivors

KW - Clinical trials, non-randomized

KW - Psychosocial intervention

KW - Qualitative research

KW - Young adult

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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y

DO - 10.1007/s00520-022-07382-y

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AN - SCOPUS:85139853855

SN - 0941-4355

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JO - Supportive Care in Cancer

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ER -

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

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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