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NCT Number: NCT07664241

Peer Support Program for Improving Quality of Life Among Head and Neck Patients, Connecting Through Cancer Trial

This clinical trial tests whether a peer support program is feasible for head and neck cancer patients. Social support at the time of diagnosis has been shown to improve head and neck cancer quality of life before and after treatment. However, not all patients have a strong social support system. Recent research has shown that peer support programs have the potential to address unmet social support needs among cancer patients. These programs involve cancer survivors (peer mentors) providing emotional and informational support to cancer patients (mentees) earlier in their disease course. Peer support programs may also reduce caregiver burden by providing an additional source of support for the patient. A one-on-one peer support program may be feasible for patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers.

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Key information

Conditions

Malignant Head and Neck Neoplasm Head and Neck Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site

Age range

18 year–89 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

Location contact

Ryan J. Li, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

302-893-4959

Ryan J. Li, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Primary objective:

I. Examine the feasibility of a peer support program for head and neck cancer patients.

Secondary objective:

I. Collect qualitative and quantitative data on the utilization of the mentorship program.

Exploratory objective:

I. Descriptive analysis of mentee psychosocial wellbeing over time. II. Descriptive analysis of caregiver burden over time.

Outline:

Patients ("mentees") participate in the peer support program by being matched with and meeting with a peer mentor, either virtually or in-person, during the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • MENTEE GROUP: Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
  • MENTEE GROUP: Willingness to have mentor-mentee interactions with the mentor selected by Imerman Angels (documented as part of informed consent)
  • MENTEE GROUP: Age 18 or older at the time of consent (upper age limit 89)
  • MENTEE GROUP: Diagnosed with head & neck cancer (all stages) and planning to receive, currently receiving or recently completed (within 12 months) active treatment OR in follow-up and reporting unmet social/support needs
  • MENTEE GROUP: English-speaker
  • MENTEE GROUP: Access to electronic device that can be used for communication
  • MENTEE GROUP: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score less than or equal to 2
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Age 18 or older at the time of consent (upper age limit 89)
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Caregiver of patient diagnosed with head and neck cancer who is also enrolled in the study
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: English-speaker
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Access to electronic device that can be used for communication

Exclusion criteria

  • MENTEE GROUP: Mentee must not be regularly engaging in other support programs at the start of the study intervention
  • MENTEE GROUP: Undergoing active professional treatment for cognitive or emotional difficulties or neurological deficits that preclude adherence to the study protocol
  • MENTEE GROUP: Any other social, emotional, or personal situation that will preclude adherence to the study protocol, at the discretion of the investigator
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Caregivers must not be regularly engaging in other support programs at the start of the study intervention
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Undergoing active professional treatment for cognitive or emotional difficulties or neurological deficits that preclude adherence to the study protocol
  • CAREGIVER GROUP: Any other social, emotional, or personal situation that will preclude adherence to the study protocol, at the discretion of the investigator

Treatment and study plan

Supportive Care

Other

Participate in peer support program

Other names: Supportive Therapy, Symptom Management, Therapy, Supportive

Survey Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

interview

Other

Ancillary studies

Primary outcomes

  1. Proportion of mentees meeting with their mentor match at least once

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Will be reported with 95% asymptotic confidence interval.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Satisfaction with peer mentor contacts

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Satisfaction will be measured using a survey that was used in a prior pilot study on a one-on-one cancer peer support program by Valanjow and Weis (2024). The survey contains 14 statements and mentees will be asked to rate how much they feel the statement applies. The scale ranges from 1-5 (1= not applicable and 5=fully applies). Mean and standard deviation of the Likert score will be reported for each item at each time point.

  2. Utilization of the mentorship program

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Mean and standard deviation will be reported for number of times the mentor and mentee have made contact.

  3. Mentorship conversation topics

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Proportions of categories will be reported for topics discussed between mentor and mentee.

  4. Rating scale for match

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Mean and standard deviation will be reported for rating scale for match (in terms of similar demographics and cancer experience). This will be on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the most similar match.

  5. Qualitative data on the benefits and challenges of the mentorship program

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    A subset of mentees (estimated n=10-15) will complete structured exit interviews at 6 months. Interviews will explore perceived benefits, challenges, barriers to engagement, impact on decision-making, and recommendations for program improvement.

  6. Demographic differences between matched mentees who meet with their mentor and those who do not

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Descriptive univariate analysis to evaluate demographic differences between matched mentees who meet with their mentor and those who do not.

Other outcomes

  1. Mentee psychosocial well-being over time

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Mentees will complete short surveys analyzing coping, anxiety and depression at three different time points to track changes over time.

  2. Caregiver burden over time (optional)

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Caregivers will complete surveys on caregiver burden at three different time points to track changes over time.

Study contacts

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

Alexandria Lichtl, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

5037061729

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Other

Collaborators

  • Oregon Health and Science University

Registry information

Official study title

Connecting Through Cancer: Feasibility of a Peer Support Program for Head and Neck Patients

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 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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