Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Nov 15, 2019
Date Accepted: Feb 27, 2020
A Web-Based, Positive Emotion Skills Intervention for Enhancing Psychological Well-Being in Post-Treatment Young Adult Cancer Survivors: EMPOWER Study Protocol for a Single Arm Feasibility Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) experience clinically significant distress and have limited access to supportive care services. Interventions to enhance psychological well-being have improved positive affect and reduced depression in clinical and healthy populations but have not been routinely tested in AYAs.
Objective:
The aims of this protocol are to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based positive emotion skills intervention for post-treatment AYAs called EMPOWER (Enhancing Management of Psychological Outcomes With Emotion Regulation), and (2) examine proof of concept for reducing psychological distress and enhancing psychological well-being.
Methods:
The intervention development and testing is taking place in three phases. In phase 1, we adapted content of an existing, Web-based positive emotion intervention so that it would be suitable for AYAs. EMPOWER targets 8 skills ((noticing positive events, capitalizing, gratitude, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, goal setting, personal strengths, and acts of kindness) and is delivered remotely as a 5-week, online intervention. Phase 2 consisted of a pilot test of EMPOWER in a single arm trial to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, retention, adherence, and collect data on psychosocial outcomes for proof of concept. In phase 3, we are refining study procedures and conducting a second pilot test.
Results:
The project was part of a career development award. Pilot work began in June 2015 and data collection was completed in March 2019. Analysis is ongoing and results will be submitted for publication by January 2020.
Conclusions:
If this intervention proves feasible and acceptable, EMPOWER will be primed for a subsequent large, multi-site RCT. As a scalable intervention, it will be ideally-suited for AYA survivors who would otherwise not have access to supportive care interventions to help manage post-treatment distress and enhance well-being. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02832154, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02832154
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