The overall aim of this research program is to develop and examine the impact of a Cancer virtual peer-to-peer (VP2P) Support Program on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents with cancer (AWC). In the current proposal, the feasibility of trialing the Skype-based VP2P program providing peer-support from mentors and the magnitude of program effect estimates will be evaluated in a pilot randomized control trial (RCT). This pilot RCT will enable us to refine the program and determine the appropriate sample size for a future large-scale RCT, which will compare the effectiveness of VP2P to a waitlist control group at a major Children's Oncology Group- affiliated centers in Canada and the United States.
The aim of this project is to develop and examine the impact of a virtual peer support program on health outcomes and quality of life of adolescents with cancer using a waitlist randomized controlled trial. In addition to standard medical care, adolescents in the experimental group will receive a manualized peer mentorship program that will provide modelling and reinforcement by trained young adults aged 18-25 years who have learned to function successfully with their pain. Mentoring sessions consist of 10 sessions of 30-45 minute Skype calls over 8 weeks. Feasibility of the program will be measured in addition to quality of life, physical and emotional symptoms, pain coping, self-efficacy, social support, and self-management skills.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
37
The mentorship program will encourage mentored participants to develop and engage in self-management and transition skills and support their practice of these skills. The mentors will present information to mentored participants in a monitored virtual interaction using Skype for 8 weeks (10 total Skype sessions of 45 minutes each) to encourage participation in skill building tailored to their needs. All mentors will complete a paid 1.5 day training course and will be supported throughout the duration of the study (consultations with research staff to deal with unforeseen concerns). Mentored participants will complete online outcome measures prior to randomization (T1) and upon study completion (T2).
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Accrual and Attrition rates
Time frame: 2 months
Adherence
100% if calls completed over 10 weeks
Time frame: 2 months
Proportion of completed questionnaires
100% if all questions completed
Time frame: 2 months
Technical difficulties - developed by the investigator
Date, time and issue will be collected
Time frame: 2 months
Acceptability - semi structured interviews with AWC and mentors
Semi-structured interviews will be developed by the investigator
Time frame: 2 months
Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL)
Using PedsQL and its Cancer Module
Time frame: 2 months
Knowledge
Using Adolescent Cancer Knowledge Questionnaire
Time frame: 2 months
Perceived social support
Perceived Social Support from Friends
Time frame: 2 months
Self-efficacy
Generalized Self-Efficacy Sherer Scale will be used to measure self-efficacy where 1 = not true and 4 = exactly true. Reliability: Internal consistency is good for adolescents. α = 0.87 Validity: Evidence of good construct validity as positively correlated with Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
Time frame: 2 months
Transition readiness
Transition-Q Readiness scale will be used to measure transition readiness. Reliability: Internal consistency good, α = 0.87. Test-retest reliability = 0.90 Validity: Construct validity supported by scores for transition readiness being lower for younger children (p \< 0.01) and those who needed assistance completing the scale (p \< 0.01). Scores were incrementally higher according to agreement with the statement, "I am ready to transfer to adult health care" (p \< 0.01). Scale options are from 0 to 2; 0 = never, 1 = sometimes, 2 = always. A higher score refers to higher transition readiness
Time frame: 2 months
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