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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04171609

Expressive Writing for Cancer Survivors

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).

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Survivors

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Duke Integrative Medicine

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States

About this study

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).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Expressive writing

Behavioral

During this daylong expressive writing workshop intervention, the writing instructor coached participants through a series of simple writing exercises. Participation required neither any prior writing experience, nor any desire to become a writer. The practices cultivate natural abilities to express the ideas that define who you are and how you experience your life.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in resilience as measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, 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 outcomes

  1. Post-writing survey

    Time frame: 1 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.

  2. Change in quality of life as measured by the Quality of Life Patient/Cancer Survivor Version (QOL-CSV)

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Change in perceived stress as measured by Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

    Time frame: 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.

  4. Change in depression as measured by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R)

    Time frame: 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.

  5. Qualitative follow-up questionnaire

    Time frame: 6 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duke University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Expressive Writing for Resilience in Adult Cancer Survivors.

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Nov 21, 2019
Registry last updated
Aug 25, 2020

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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