Digital Self-Management and Peer Mentoring Intervention

Launched by RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY · Jan 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests a digital self-management program called Managing Your Health (MYH), with peer mentoring, to help young adults who survived childhood cancer manage their survivorship care as they move from pediatric to adult healthcare. In a randomized trial, participants are assigned by chance to receive the MYH program (six weekly video calls with a peer mentor plus self-management modules in a mobile app) or to usual care plus educational materials. The goal is to see if MYH can improve how well survivors take care of their long-term health and stay on track with follow-up care.

Who can join? Adults ages 18–25 who were diagnosed with cancer as children (before age 20) and completed treatment at a pediatric center at least two years ago can participate, provided they do not have significant cognitive or physical delays and can read and speak English. About 300 survivors will participate at two sites (Rutgers in New Jersey and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles). Researchers will measure outcomes at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months, focusing on self-management skills (the main outcome), adherence to guideline-recommended follow-up care, and overall quality of life. The study is currently enrolling and results are not yet available. De-identified data may be shared with qualified researchers after the study is finished.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosis with any malignant childhood cancer between the ages 0-19 at least 5 years prior
• • 2. Cancer treatment occurred at a pediatric center/facility
• • 3. Current age 18-25
• • 4. At least 2 years from treatment completion (typical time for transfer to long-term follow-up care)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Any documented physical or self-reported cognitive delay that could prevent self-management of health care
• • 2. Diagnoses of cancer not typically considered pediatric (I.e., melanoma, carcinoma of the breast, colorectum, lung, ovary, and testicle)
• • 3. Unable to speak/read English