NCT07516301

Feasibility of Incorporating a Standardized Substance Use Measure With Linked-Brief Intervention Into Routine Psychosocial Care of Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors

Piloting the Feasibility of Incorporating a Standardized Substance Use Measure With Linked-Brief Intervention Into Routine Psychosocial Care of Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The ASSIST Study is designed to explore whether a brief, evidence based substance use screening and counseling approach can be easily integrated into routine survivorship care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. During a regularly scheduled psychosocial visit, participants complete the World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). This short questionnaire helps identify patterns of use related to tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and other substances. Survivors whose results show possible risk receive a brief, supportive counseling session during the same appointment. This session uses motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals reflect on their use and consider steps to reduce potential harm. Primary Objective: \- Assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a standardized assessment of substance use and brief substance use reduction intervention in survivorship clinical settings. Secondary Objective: \- Evaluate the reliability of delivering a brief substance use intervention to reduce substance use behaviors among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer (ASCC) followed in the (ACT) Clinic.

Detailed description

The ASSIST Study is a pilot study at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital designed to explore whether a brief, evidence-based approach to substance use screening and counseling can be integrated into routine survivorship care for adult survivors of childhood cancer. During a regular visit in the After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic, participants will complete the World Health Organization's ASSIST questionnaire, which identifies potential risks related to alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use. Survivors who show moderate or high risk and are assigned to the intervention group receive a brief counseling session that uses motivational interviewing techniques to support healthy decision making. This study will enroll 30 adult survivors to evaluate whether this screening and intervention approach is practical, acceptable, and delivered as intended within a busy clinic setting. Participants will also complete a follow up survey three months later to report whether they reduced their substance use. Results from this pilot will help determine whether a larger study should be conducted and may guide future efforts to enhance long term health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors.

Conditions

• Survivors of Childhood Cancer
• Substance Use

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening with Feedback	An 8 item clinician administered instrument assessing lifetime and recent (past 3 months) use across substance classes (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants, sedatives/sleeping pills, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, and other drugs).Risk scores wiil be produced to guide intervention level. The assessment will be administered orally during a routine psychosocial visit by an LCSW. In the experimental arm, risk feedback will be shared using a scorecard
BEHAVIORAL	ASSIST Linked Brief Intervention (10 Step Motivational interviewing (MI)/FRAMES)	For participants screening moderate/high risk in the experimental arm, a same session, brief intervention consistent with motivational interviewing and FRAMES is delivered by an LCSW. Ten steps include: purpose of discussion, feedback on scores, information/advice, emphasize responsibility, express concern/support, explore "good things," explore "less good things," summarize, explore readiness/next steps with goal setting if ready, and provide self help materials. Sessions will be audio recorded for fidelity review.
BEHAVIORAL	WHO ASSIST v3.1 Screening (No Feedback)	An 8 item clinician administered instrument assessing lifetime and recent (past 3 months) use across substance classes (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants, sedatives/sleeping pills, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, and other drugs).Risk scores wiil be produced to guide intervention level. The assessment will be administered orally during a routine psychosocial visit by an LCSW. In the control arm, no scorecard/feedback will be provided.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-05-01
• Primary completion: 2027-10-01
• Completion: 2028-10-01
• First posted: 2026-04-07
• Last updated: 2026-04-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States