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.
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: 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
Single group
Supportive Care
Other interventionParticipate in peer support program
Survey Administration
Other interventionAncillary studies
Interview
Other interventionAncillary studies
Proportion of mentees meeting with their mentor match at least once
Will be reported with 95% asymptotic confidence interval.
Satisfaction with peer mentor contacts
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.
Utilization of the mentorship program
Mean and standard deviation will be reported for number of times the mentor and mentee have made contact.
Mentorship conversation topics
Proportions of categories will be reported for topics discussed between mentor and mentee.
Rating scale for match
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.
Mentee psychosocial well-being over time
Mentees will complete short surveys analyzing coping, anxiety and depression at three different time points to track changes over time.
Caregiver burden over time (optional)
Caregivers will complete surveys on caregiver burden at three different time points to track changes over time.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Lead sponsor
Oregon Health and Science University
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
