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NCT Number: NCT07420101

Easing Scan Anxiety in Pediatric Oncology Caregivers Through Meditation-based Programs

"Scanxiety" is a term coined to describe anxiety related to imaging during cancer treatment and has not been robustly studied in pediatric oncology caregivers. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a meditation-based program that offers a non-pharmacologic approach to managing stress. The main purposes of this study are two-fold: 1). to determine if scanxiety exists in the caregivers of pediatric oncology patients and 2.) if scanxiety is found, does the implementation of a mindfulness program help to improve caregiver anxiety related to imaging.

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Key information

Conditions

Caregiver Anxiety Caregiver Anxiety Related to Cancer Imaging Pediatric Oncology

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

"Scanxiety" is a term coined to describe anxiety related to imaging during cancer treatment. It is multifactorial and includes anxiety leading up to the scan as well as the waiting period after imaging and prior to results, as well as worry about possible changes in treatment. It has been documented in adult oncology literature and is associated with lower quality of life. Past adult studies show an inverse relationship with time since diagnosis and scanxiety, the further out from diagnosis, the lower level of scanxiety. Scanxiety is higher in those with lower education levels and higher baseline anxiety. Though scanxiety has been sparsely acknowledged in pediatric oncology literature, anxiety has been documented in parents of pediatric patients receiving MRI's for various diagnoses. Although caregivers of pediatric oncology patients experience high levels of distress, to date there are no studies that have measured the presence of scanxiety specifically in caregivers of pediatric oncology patients. Therefore, there are no intervention studies attempting to ameliorate anxiety related to imaging in the caregivers of pediatric oncology patients.

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a meditation-based program that offers a non-pharmacologic approach to managing stress. Its effects of reducing stress and other stress-related outcomes including anxiety is documented in various populations including police officers, prison inmates, university students, adolescents with cardiac diagnoses, and healthcare professionals. It has also been used to decrease stress in oncology patients and the partners of adult oncology patients. MBSR sessions can be provided in person but are also effective in an online training format. Although it has been well-studied in a variety of populations, the effectiveness of MBSR has yet to be evaluated in the caregivers of pediatric oncology patients. In particular, this study aims to fill the scientific gap in exploring if MSBR may reduce scanxiety in this population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Able to understand spoken English and be able to read written English
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to understand and willing to sign informed consent document
  • Have access to a smart phone or tablet device that is able to receive texts
  • Is a caregiver of any age oncology patient (including patients above 18 years of age)
  • Caregiver of a patient that is scheduled for a routine scan (CT's, MRI's, PET scans) within the upcoming 3 months
  • If assigned to the Phase 2 intervention group, willing and able to eat a raisin (a box of which will be mailed to home address)

Exclusion criteria

  • Oncology patient is of adult age and caring for self
  • Medically-diagnosed cognitive delay in caregiver (by self-disclosure in eligibility questionnaire)
  • Upcoming scan is due to concern for relapse/disease recurrence and is urgent
  • Upcoming scan is part of initial oncology work-up
  • Any non-routine surveillance scan

Treatment and study plan

Mindful Module Caregiver Packet

Other

If Scanxiety was identified, patient's caregiver will receive the Mindful Module Caregiver Packet. The intervention group will receive the daily module on Days 1-7; Day 7 being the day before scan. At the end of the module (Day 7), they will be directed to two surveys (STAI and Feasibility of the Program).

Primary outcomes

  1. Likert-Style Anxiety Scale

    Time frame: Caregivers will complete this 2 weeks before the scan.

    Used to determine if the caregivers of pediatric oncology patients experience scanxiety. This one-item instrument scale ranges from 1 (not anxious at all) to 5 (extremely anxious). The goal of this instrument is to grossly establish if Scanxiety is present in caregivers. If caregivers answer between 2 (A little anxious)-5 (Extremely anxious) it demonstrates levels of anxiety.

  2. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

    Time frame: If anxiety is demonstrated in caregivers, they will move into Phase 2 of this study either in the Intervention Arm or the Control Arm. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) will be administered on Timepoint Day 1 and again on Timepoint Day 7.

    Used to determine if the caregivers of pediatric oncology patients experience scanxiety. This 40-item self-reported survey measures anxiety. These 40 questions are divided into two 20-quesiton sections (one for "state" anxiety, and one for "trait" anxiety). Higher scores demonstrate high levels of anxiety. the scores range from 20-80 [very high anxiety (> 65), high anxiety (56-65), moderate anxiety (46-55), low anxiety (36-45) and very low anxiety (< or = 35).

  3. Feasibility of the Program

    Time frame: Will be administered to caregivers in the Intervention Arm Only on Day 7.

    This questionnaire measures the ease of completion of the mindfulness modules, the perceived appeal of the mindfulness program, participant interest, likelihood of recommending the program to others, and participation in other mindfulness-based activities (e.g., yoga or meditation) outside of the study in a YES or NO response format.

  4. Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)

    Time frame: Will be administered to both Intervention and Control Arm on both Day 1 and Day 7.

    To evaluate the study's ability to generate interest in similar programs and its perceived applicability. This 4-question scale has values ranging from 1 (Completely disagree), 2 Disagree, 3 Neither agree nor disagree, 4 Agree, and 5 Completely agree).

  5. Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)

    Time frame: Timeframe: Will be administered on both intervention and Control Arm on both Day 1 and Day 7.

    To evaluate the study's ability to generate interest in similar programs its, perceived applicability and the likelihood of recommendation to other oncology families. This 4-question scale has values ranging from 1 (Completely disagree), 2 Disagree, 3 Neither agree nor disagree, 4 Agree, and 5 Completely agree).

  6. Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)

    Time frame: Will be administered on both intervention and Control Arm on both Day 1 and Day 7.

    To evaluate the study's ability to generate interest in its ease of completion. This 4-question scale has values ranging from 1 (Completely disagree), 2 Disagree, 3 Neither agree nor disagree, 4 Agree, and 5 Completely agree).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Adam Barselau, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

860-545-9671

Kimberley Roche, MSN, PPCNP-BC, APRN

CONTACT

[email protected]

860-545-9671

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kimberley Roche

Other

Collaborators

  • Connecticut Children's Medical Center
  • UConn Health

Registry information

Official study title

A Mindfulness Approach to Scanxiety

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Feb 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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