Overview
This clinical trial tests the feasibility, usability and acceptability of a virtual art therapy assisted re-integration (AVATARS) intervention to improve biopsychosocial outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, resilience, emotional regulation, stress, and cognition, among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. AYA cancer survivors (especially those treated at adult cancer centers) historically experience worse psychosocial outcomes and lack age appropriate psychosocial support compared to older adult cancer survivors. Creative art therapy accesses the limbic system to provide a corrective emotional experience in response to trauma and can help patients visually express depression, anxiety, and existential fears, process traumatic events, and regain agency and control. The AVATARS intervention may be a feasible, useable and acceptable way to improve biopsychosocial outcomes among AYA cancer survivors.
Description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. Investigate the AVATARS intervention's feasibility, usability, and acceptability among a sample of AYA cancer survivors.
II. Investigate the preliminary efficacy of the AVATARS intervention on biopsychosocial outcomes (i.e. anxiety, depression, resilience, emotional regulation, stress, and cognition) in AYA cancer survivors.
- OUTLINE
Patients complete virtual art therapy sessions, over 60 minutes, every 2 weeks, for 4 sessions. Patients then receive a 3D printed replica of their avatar.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 12, 24 and 36 weeks.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18-25 years of age at the time of enrollment and able to provide informed consent
- Mild or greater depression [Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-A) score > 5]
- Diagnosed with a solid tumor malignancy within past three months (acute survivorship) or completed cancer treatment for a solid tumor malignancy within the past five years (extended survivorship)
- Have access to an electronic device which supports Zoom videoconferencing (e.g., personal device or public library access)
- Able to read and write in English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participation in art therapy within the past 12 months
- Visual or cognitive impairment which may impede completing the art project or the data collection measures
- Endorsed suicidality (via PHQ-A or otherwise)