This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of a culturally based social support program (i.e. Joy Luck Academy, JLA) among Chinese American breast cancer survivors.
This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the health benefits of an education and peer mentor support intervention. Chinese American breast cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a control group to receive enhanced usual care while waiting for the JLA. Health outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately post intervention, and 1 and 4 months follow-ups.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
168
The social support intervention is a 7-week program includes educational and peer mentoring support components. The education curriculum provides information on recognizing side effects of treatment and differentiating them from symptoms of cancer recurrence, physical therapy and alternative treatment, stress management, recognizing depression and managing emotional problems, communication with family members, and body image. The peer-support component assigns each participant with a mentor who is a breast cancer survivor. They share their own experience with participants and also make weekly phone calls to mentees during the intervention to provide support and address remaining concerns.
Herald Cancer Association
Los Angeles, California, United States
Change in Quality of life as assessed by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale (FACT)
Time frame: Baseline before intervention and immediately, 1 month, and 4 months after the intervention
Change in depressive symptoms as assessed by CES-D
Depressive symptoms will be measured with the Chinese short-form version (Boey, 1999) of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) as well as two additional items ("I don't want to have contact with people, socialize, or go out at all" and "I have thought about hurting myself") from the Chinese American Depression Scale (CADS-9).
Time frame: Baseline before intervention and immediately, 1 month, and 4 months after the intervention
Change in positive affect as assessed by the PANAS
Time frame: Baseline before intervention and immediately, 1 month, and 4 months after the intervention
Change in fatigue as assessed by FACIT
A short-version (i.e. 6-item) of Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale was used.
Time frame: Baseline before intervention and immediately, 1 month, and 4 months after the intervention
Change in stress as assessed by the Perceived stress scale (PSS)
Time frame: Baseline before intervention and immediately, 1 month, and 4 months after the intervention
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