Abstract
Purpose: Despite cure, adolescents and young adults (AYA) who complete cancer treatment remain at risk for numerous physical and psychological late effects. However, engagement in recommended follow-up care, knowledge of cancer treatment history and risks, and adoption of health promoting behaviors are often suboptimal. The pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a text messaging intervention (THRIVE; Texting Health Resources to Inform, motiVate, and Engage) designed to promote well-being, and health knowledge and behaviors. Methods: Sixty-one AYA who recently completed cancer therapy enrolled and were randomized to receive THRIVE (n = 31) or an AYA survivor handbook (n = 30). Participants from both groups completed baseline measures and follow-up surveys 16 weeks later. AYA randomized to THRIVE received one to two health-related text messages per day over 16 weeks. Results: THRIVE demonstrated a high level of acceptability and feasibility. Exploratory analyses highlighted promising improvements in knowledge, fruit/vegetable intake, and perceptions of health vulnerability. Conclusions: Text messaging is an acceptable and feasible intervention approach for improving well-being and health of AYA survivors. Future research is needed to test the impact of text messaging in a larger trial, including whether or not such an intervention can improve clinical outcomes, such as survivors' engagement in follow-up care.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 164-172 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Psycho-oncology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2020 |
Keywords
- adolescents
- cancer
- health promotion
- intervention
- mobile health
- oncology
- young adults
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Oncology
- Psychiatry and Mental health