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Expressive Writing for Cancer Survivors

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cancer Survivors
Interventions
Behavioral: Expressive writing
Registration Number
NCT04171609
Lead Sponsor
Duke University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a 1-day expressive writing intervention for adult cancer survivors improves resilience scores as measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC).

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a 1-day expressive writing intervention for adult cancer survivors improves resilience scores as measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
14
Inclusion Criteria
  • Have ever received a cancer diagnosis
  • Have completed cancer treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy)
  • Are able to speak, read, write, and understand English
  • Are cognitively able to provide consent
  • Are able to travel to Durham to participate in the 1-day writing intervention
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Exclusion Criteria

-Cancer diagnosis was skin cancer that did not require additional treatment after surgical removal

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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cancer survivorsExpressive writingAdult survivors of any kind of cancer (except for minor skin cancer) are eligible to participate
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in resilience as measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience ScaleBaseline, 6 months

This 25-item scale addresses resilience, and has been studied in a variety of populations. Resilience is considered as the capacity to overcome adversity.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in quality of life as measured by the Quality of Life Patient/Cancer Survivor Version (QOL-CSV)Baseline, 6 months

The QOL-CSV is a 41-item ordinal scale measuring quality of life as a cancer patient that originated in use for pain research and was recently adapted for use in long-term cancer survivorship. This survey asks participants to measure their quality of life in terms of the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of well-being.

Change in perceived stress as measured by Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)Baseline, 6 months

The PSS-10 is a well-known 10-item questionnaire used to evaluate responders' perceptions about their level of stress and their ability to cope with stress over the last month. Results from this questionnaire have demonstrated acceptable levels of validity and reliability. This inventory asks participants to respond using a 10-point Likert-type scale when endorsing the degree to which each item best reflects their thoughts and feelings within the past month.

Post-writing survey1 day (collected during the 1-day intervention)

This five-question survey is used after each writing exercise to measure how respondents reflect on their writing. This survey asks participants to respond to the first four questions using a 10-point Likert-type scale endorsing the degree to which each item reflects their thoughts and feeling about their writing. The fifth question asks for a free-response reflection on how they think and feel about how their writing went.

Change in depression as measured by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R)Baseline, 6 months

The 20-item CESD-R is one of the most common screening tests that measures depressive feelings and behaviors within the past week.

Qualitative follow-up questionnaire6 months

This qualitative follow-up questionnaire will be administered 6 months after the study intervention to capture participants' reflections on their experience in the study.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Duke Integrative Medicine

🇺🇸

Durham, North Carolina, United States

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