NCT07138040

Re-Engaging AYA Survivors in Cancer-Related Healthcare

Re-Engaging AYA Survivors in Cancer-Related Healthcare: A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 530 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 15 Years – 29 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy (how well they work) of different digital interventions that deliver information to adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care (LTFU). The main aims are: * To test the efficacy of adaptive interventions (AIs) that begin with low touch intervention (LTI) as compared to written information (WI) on attending an appointment, and self-reported self-management among AYA. * To identify the most efficacious second-stage strategy for those who initially schedule/attend an appointment (maintenance vs. step-up) and for those who do not (step-up vs. step-up maximum). * To assess multilevel factors contributing to the effects of re-engaging AYA and how best to integrate AIs into practice. Throughout the duration of the study, participants will complete four surveys, receive a series of interventions, and may be asked to participate in an interview (post-intervention).

Detailed description

Over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors; however, 70% develop chronic or life-threatening late effects from treatment, and these often emerge during young adulthood. Guidelines recommend annual long-term follow-up care (LTFU) to manage and monitor for late effects, recurrence, or new cancer(s). Yet, as risk for late effects increases in young adulthood and survivors transition into adult-focused care, engagement in care plummets. Disengagement from LTFU leaves adolescent and young adult survivors (AYA) vulnerable to delayed or poorly managed diagnoses and relates to lower knowledge and self-management abilities. Thus, interventions targeting re-engagement of AYA are critical for this vulnerable population. The REACH (Re-Engaging AYA survivors in Cancer-related Healthcare) study will test a low touch intervention (LTI), consisting of reminder "nudge" text messages and informational resources for up to 4 weeks compared to an enhanced usual care group that will receive written information (WI) only. In Stage 2, AYA will be re-randomized based on responsiveness to Stage 1 (i.e., whether or not they made an appointment) into 16 weeks of intervention. Responders will either be re-randomized to receive a continued intervention (maintenance) or a stepped-up condition, while non-responders will only receive a stepped-up condition. Step-up may include expanded LTI (more text messages) or a high touch intervention (HTI). The HTI includes text messages and digital resources, including a personalized survivorship care plan (SCP), and a mobile-friendly platform with information tailored to variables such as barriers to care, treatment history and recommendations, and a personal health goal. Additionally, social worker and/or nurse support will be available to help overcome barriers (e.g., access care). The intervention options in Stage 2 are intended to enhance self-management beyond simply attending LTFU in order to sustain long-term engagement. Outcomes are measured after Stage 1 (T2), Stage 2 (T3) and at 36 weeks (T4). It is expected that those who start with LTI versus WI will be more likely to attend a LTFU appointment by T4. For Stage 2, those who receive the stepped-up condition compared to those with maintenance, and those who received HTI compared to LTI, will be more likely to attend an appointment by T4. Attending an appointment by T3 and indices of self-management are secondary outcomes. The study team will assess moderators of intervention outcomes, intervention engagement, acceptability, feasibility, and cost. Qualitative interviews will assess multilevel barriers and facilitators of future implementation with stakeholders (AYA, parents/supports, providers, administrators). This trial aims to promote optimal engagement in LTFU and self-management for AYA survivors, improving outcomes and reducing disparities. For Stage 2, those who receive the stepped-up condition compared to those with maintenance, and those who received HTI compared to LTI, will be more likely to attend an appointment by T4.

Conditions

• Cancer

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Stage 1 Written Information	Stage 1 WI: consists of a letter from the survivorship care team with information about long-term follow-up care and relevant contacts to schedule an appointment.
BEHAVIORAL	Stage 1 Low Touch Intervention	Stage 1 LTI: consists of the WI stage 1 letter, a copy of their treatment summary with instructions for creating their own survivorship care plan, and one text message per week with information to schedule a follow-up care appointment.
BEHAVIORAL	Stage 2 Written Information	Stage 2 WI: consists of a letter from the survivorship care team with information about what to expect at a long-term follow-up care appointment.
BEHAVIORAL	Stage 2 Low Touch Intervention	Stage 2 LTI: consists of the WI stage 2 letter, a copy of their treatment summary with instructions for creating their own survivorship care plan, and two to three non-tailored (generic) text messages per week related to scheduling an appointment, overcoming barriers to follow-up care, and health self-management.
BEHAVIORAL	Stage 2 High Touch Intervention	Stage 2 HTI: consists of personalized mobile-friendly dashboard containing the WI letters, their treatment summary, survivorship care plan, and a growing discover section with helpful tailored resources. They will also receive four to six text messages per week with personalized messages related to their chosen health goal, personal barriers to attending cancer-related follow-up care, treatment-related risks, information about scheduling their long-term follow-up appointments, health self-management, and fun texts consisting of celebrity quotes, memes, and altruistic messages.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-01
• Primary completion: 2028-04-30
• Completion: 2028-04-30
• First posted: 2025-08-22
• Last updated: 2026-02-18

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: United States